Medicare and Your Senior Age
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a condition, “Guarantees the well being of a person and his or her family.” A number of definitions have also been used over time for different medical purposes. However, when a word is used consistently by people all over the world it becomes a catchall term to represent a set of beliefs, values and approaches to health. The Universal Health Care Declaration, launched in June 2021, hopes to formalize the universal use of health terminology by putting it into official international standards.
The Universal Health Care Declaration acknowledges the need for policies and programs in health that take into consideration the entire life course from birth through death. It calls on all Parties to work toward a comprehensive plan for health, in order to build a society that meets the needs of individuals, families, children and the older adult population. It calls for greater investment in prevention and treatment of diseases and the promotion of healthy behaviors among people at all stages of life. It advocates the use of prevention and treatment programs for all age groups, from childhood through old age, on the basis of their individual health needs and their social and economic status. It calls for the improvement of health education, with an increased emphasis on healthy behaviors and an open and lively debate on the best way to achieve these goals.
For the older adult population, the focus on prevention is an important aspect of any health policy aimed at maintaining a healthy life course. It includes the maintenance of a healthy body weight, cessation of smoking and alcohol abuse, regular exercise and other activities of daily living (ADL) and proper diet. The Universal Health Care Declaration recognizes the importance of life-course prevention and emphasizes that healthy lifestyle choices are essential for maintaining good health and preventing diseases. The aim of the program is to provide treatments and prevention for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, asthma, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, gallstone disease, head injury, depression, anxiety, relationship disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, alcohol abuse, sexual dysfunction and other mental disorders.
The objective of managing disease and disability is to promote self-care. An increasing number of people live with chronic disabilities due to age 65. These include disabilities arising from accidents or advanced medical intervention, mental health conditions resulting from serious depression, memory loss, cognitive impairment or schizophrenia, or serious psychological distress due to substance abuse, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, alcoholism or drug addiction. These people require more comprehensive services than younger people. The focus on wellness promotes a higher level of comfort with living with a chronic disability.
The policy of caring for the elderly (HCREX) targets preventive health care, improving disability management, focusing on self-care and encouraging participation in the community. The goal of this policy is to increase quality of life, reduce health-related costs and improve quality of life for older adults. This includes evaluating health education and information, promoting preventive care, improving access to health information and clinical trials. The objective also includes assisting the transition from client care to a skilled care facility. The program also provides assistance with managing chronic diseases and conditions, including those that affect physical health and social health.
The Medicare Shared Savings program encourages employers to offer quality health care coverage to their employees and to provide consistent, quality health care services. In order to qualify for this program, employers must offer a qualified medical plan that meets the requirements of Medicare. It is important that you understand what the policy entails and how it will affect your Medicare. Contact a Medicare representative to discuss your options for dealing with aging adults.
