Providing long-term care for the elderly is of increasing importance due to demographic shifts coupled with increased life expectancy within our population. The ethnic composition of our elderly population will also change. Because of these shifts, it is crucial for us to acknowledge the needs of these elderly individuals and to create ways to provide them with adequate care. The current distribution of services for African Americans is neither sufficient nor equal to that of their white counterparts.

The trend of utilization of in-home services by older adults is increasing as seniors discover it more cost effective and healthier alternative than a nursing home. Home care services are divided into three levels of care based on the intensity of services provided. The first level is skilled care ordered by a physician and administered by a licensed nurse, including care for clients with wounds, catheters, fractures etc. The second is personal care services for those who need assistance with daily living, including assisting with bathing, ambulating and exercising. The third and most basic level of care is homemaker-chore services, which includes housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, and other activities necessary to allow a person to remain in his or her home. These services can be used in conjunction with one another and can change to meet the client’s changing needs.

Those who utilize in-home care can use several different means to pay for their services. Clients can pay out-of-pocket at an agency’s full rate or at a reduced rate through voluntary agencies. Medicaid is another payment source for low-income elderly people who meet the strict income requirements. Medicaid covers nursing services, home health aid services, and medical supplies.

Disparities in the Accessibility of In-Home Care

Included in the disparities that exist throughout America’s healthcare system are disparities in the availability of in- home care. The main issue of this phenomenon is the lack of economic security for elderly people, which can be attributed to people with lower wages, family responsibilities, and inadequate pension’s coverage. Though the governments have been continuously working to ensure equal accessibility to home care centers but due to one reason or other these remain away from the reach of some people who really want it. We hope that, in the future, these disparities in health care will be eliminated, and we strive to make a difference in the acquisition of adequate, affordable health care regardless of race or economic health. As a nation one needs to create a system that allows every citizen to experience equal and fair accessibility to all necessary health care services.

The inaccessibility of ones to home care centers or other basic need is not a concern of a single nation. It is widespread around the globe and we need to demarcate it as a social slur and ensure that what is required by the elderly is made available to them without any discrimination.

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