As I mentioned previously, I will be discussing what is influencing home health care services. Influence is the reason something happens. There are several things that influence this trend; according to research, the ageing population, increase the number of patients with chronic condition, hospital financial constraints, and reduce readmission to hospital all influenced this service. How are the ageing population influencing home health care? Life expectancy is increasing which refers to the people in our societies living longer today than before. During the early 1900s, men were expected to live until the age of 48, but by 2000 the age increased to 74. As for the women, they have also had similar results. Women were expected to live until the age of 51 in the early 1900s, but their age also increase to 74 by 2000. This is causing increase demand for health care because many of these older Americans faces several chronic conditions (Matthews, 2013). According to research, “Currently, 90% of Americans age 75 and older have at least one chronic medical condition, and 20% have five or more chronic illnesses (AARP, 2009). The cost of caring for people with five or more chronic illnesses is roughly 17 times higher than tor those without chronic illness” (Popejoy, et al., …show more content…
Some patients may choose to receive care at home because they decided home is where they are more comfortable. Home health care patient often has more active role in their decision on the type of health care to receive. The home health care providers teach the patients how to prevent complication due to their illness or injury, slow progression of disease and provide the patient with a sense of control over their condition. Yes, all of this could be done in a hospital, but this service is done as a convenience for the patient and his or his family members. Another factor that plays a major part in home health care service is the financial difference of being treated in the hospital compared to being treated at home. The service includes different workers in the medical field such as nurses, certified nursing assistances, physicians, specialists, social workers, and the list go on. nurses, and home health aides. Home care can improve patient’s health all while avoiding the expenses of hospitalization. On an average, home health care service is 20% less than hospitalization, and the service has a 95% satisfaction rating (Grant & Greene,