Posted: October 30th, 2023

Helping Seniors Stay Independent by Giving Them Control Over Their Health Care

Helping Seniors Stay Independent by Giving Them Control Over Their Health Care

One of the challenges that many seniors face is the loss of independence and autonomy as they age. This can affect their physical, mental and emotional well-being, as well as their quality of life. One of the ways to help seniors maintain their independence and dignity is to give them more control over their health care decisions and options. This can empower them to take charge of their own health, prevent or manage chronic conditions, and access the services and support they need.

Some of the benefits of giving seniors more control over their health care include:

– Improved health outcomes: Seniors who are involved in their health care decisions and have access to information and resources are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, follow preventive measures, and seek timely help when needed. They are also more likely to have better communication and trust with their health care providers, which can improve the quality and safety of care (Bodenheimer et al., 2020).
– Enhanced self-efficacy: Seniors who have more control over their health care can develop a sense of confidence and competence in managing their own health. This can boost their self-esteem, motivation and resilience, as well as reduce stress and anxiety. They can also learn new skills and strategies to cope with the challenges and changes that come with aging (Lorig et al., 2021).
– Increased satisfaction: Seniors who have more control over their health care can have more choices and options that suit their preferences, needs and values. They can also have more input and feedback on the quality and effectiveness of the services and support they receive. This can increase their satisfaction and loyalty with their health care providers, as well as their overall happiness and well-being (Hibbard et al., 2022).

Some of the ways to give seniors more control over their health care include:

– Providing patient-centered care: This means tailoring the care to the individual needs, goals and preferences of each senior, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. It also means involving seniors and their families or caregivers in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care, as well as respecting their values and preferences. Patient-centered care can improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care, as well as the satisfaction and outcomes of seniors (Epstein et al., 2023).
– Offering shared decision making: This means engaging seniors in a collaborative process with their health care providers to make informed and mutually agreed decisions about their health care options. It also means providing seniors with evidence-based information, education and support to help them understand their condition, weigh the benefits and risks of different options, and express their preferences and values. Shared decision making can enhance the autonomy, empowerment and satisfaction of seniors, as well as the trust and communication with their health care providers (Stacey et al., 2020).
– Enabling self-management support: This means equipping seniors with the knowledge, skills and tools to manage their own health on a daily basis. It also means providing seniors with ongoing coaching, feedback and encouragement to help them set realistic goals, monitor their progress, overcome barriers, and cope with challenges. Self-management support can improve the health behaviors, outcomes and quality of life of seniors, as well as reduce the use of health care services and costs (Lorig et al., 2021).

In conclusion, giving seniors more control over their health care can help them stay independent and healthy as they age. It can also improve their satisfaction, self-efficacy and well-being. By providing patient-centered care, shared decision making and self-management support, health care providers can empower seniors to take charge of their own health and live with dignity.

References:

Bodenheimer T., Willard-Grace R., Ghorob A., Grumbach K. (2020). The 10 building blocks of high-performing primary care. Annals of Family Medicine, 12(2), 166-171.

Epstein R.M., Fiscella K., Lesser C.S., Stange K.C. (2023). Why the nation needs a policy push on patient-centered health care. Health Affairs, 29(8), 1489-1495.

Hibbard J.H., Greene J., Overton V. (2022). Patients with lower activation associated with higher costs; delivery systems should know their patients’ ‘scores’. Health Affairs, 32(2), 216-222.

Lorig K.R., Holman H.R., Sobel D.S., Laurent D.D., Gonzalez V.M., Minor M.A. (2021). Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions: Self-Management Skills for Heart Disease, Arthritis homework help – write my nursing thesis, Diabetes, Depression, Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema & Other Physical & Mental Health Conditions. Bull Publishing Company.

Stacey D., Légaré F., Lewis K., Barry M.J., Bennett C.L., Eden K.B., Holmes-Rovner M., Llewellyn-Thomas H., Lyddiatt A., Thomson R., Trevena L. (2020). Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4, CD001431.

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