Lifespan Management Q&A
Introduction
First, let me take this opportunity to welcome you all to the New Amsterdam Hospital. My name is Chloe Tanley, and I will be your subject matter expert on the topic of lifespan management. As you are all aware, there is an ongoing change in demographics in the United States and most Western countries, whereby the elevation in the longevity of life has made the elderly population the fastest-growing segment of the population. By the end of the decade, the elderly population is projected to increase by 30%, with a large majority being older than 70 years old. Of concern is that ageing is accompanied by an overall decline in the cognitive and physiological processes because of the impact of various cellular and molecular damage over time. Subsequently, this is where the role of lifespan management comes in. Hence, this question and answer session generates awareness of what encompasses lifespan management, the populations that are primarily served by lifespan management, alongside other pertinent questions surrounding this career path.
What is Lifespan Management?
In its ideal definition, lifespan management refers to the care delivered by registered nurses, community health nurses, social workers, and other members of the allied healthcare profession team after drug prescription that is accompanied by diet and exercise recommendations and lifestyle modifications. Generally, the goal of lifespan care is to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those suffering from chronic conditions, as well as to reduce mortality rates (Alegbeleye, 2018). Multiple evidence has shown that lifespan management is integral in equipping individuals with self-efficacy behaviours that, in the long run, go a long way in ensuring effective management of their conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, which, in turn, promotes positive outcomes, such as medication compliance. Ultimately, lifespan management is beneficial not only to individual patients but also to the organization at large. Alegbeleye (2018) affirms that hospitals that fail to provide lifespan management experience higher levels of readmission rates in contrast to those that provide. Under the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, hospitals with significant readmission rates are usually fined substantial costs, notwithstanding the costs that arise due to prolonged hospital stay and use of resources.
What population lifespan management can serve?
Lifespan management is ideal for vulnerable populations as their health is exacerbated by numerous social factors, key among them disparities. The following are some of the vulnerable populations that experience significant risk factors, issues to care accessibility, and elevated morbidity and mortality when compared to the general population.
Chronically ill and disabled: Individuals suffering from chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and other metabolic syndromes, are at significant risk of poor health outcomes. The fact that these individuals are likely to consume a larger proportion of the healthcare expenditure, lifespan management care is ideal for managing their disease process. Besides, physically disabled individuals usually face numerous challenges in accessing care and, as such, obtaining services. Hence, lifespan care management ensures that they receive the needed care (Joszt, 2018).
Low-income or homeless individuals: Individuals from low-income households are likely to experience co-occurring conditions, meaning they are bound to have behavioural issues, such as depression, alongside chronic conditions such as obesity. The lack of insurance coverage may further precipitate these individuals to avoid visiting the mainstream healthcare system, thereby exposing them to a wide range of complications. Subsequently, lifespan care management may aid such individuals to have a quality life and prevent premature mortality among these individuals (Joszt, 2018).
Minorities: American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other geographically isolated communities typically experience lower health status and have lower life expectancies due to their lower education attainment and high poverty rates. Besides, these rural communities face challenges in accessing care, primarily because of the underfunding of the healthcare programs as well as the rampant discrimination they experience when visiting providers. Hence, lifespan care management is always a feasible solution to these challenges (Joszt, 2018).
The elderly and the young: The virtue that the young and old are likely to experience numerous complications due to their low immunity makes the two vulnerable groups that can benefit from lifespan management (Joszt, 2018).
What is the continuum of care?
Care continuum refers to a concept encompassing an incorporated system of care guiding and tracking patients over time through a comprehensive range of health services that span different levels of care intensity. In patients with chronic diseases, the care continuum covers all the stages of the disease process, right from the diagnosis phase to the end-of-life stage. Jackson and Ball (2018) affirm that an effective continuum of care features optimal transfer of the client between the various levels of care, the same intervention philosophy through the levels of care, alongside the efficient transfer of clients. The goals of the care continuum are to foster and support lifestyle changes, aid patients in the identification alongside addressing of physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual problems, aid patients in formulating a positive support network, and enhance patients’ problem-solving skills and coping strategies.
What environments and services are offered in your local community?
To support the care continuum for individuals with dementia and related conditions, Heritage Point offers personalized care up to 24 hours a day by professional and registered home care nurses. Some of the services offered in the facility include:
Daily care: Patients are offered support in activities of daily living such as meal preparation, personal care, and housekeeping.
Dementia Care: Tranquil, assertive, and empathetic care for persons suffering from dementia and other related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disorder.
Hospice support: The facility coordinates with the local hospice facilities to offer improved support to families that are caring for loved ones at the end of their life phase.
Activity coordinators: Linking clients with skilled assistance for life improvement initiatives, including recreation, socialization, and escort services for medical appointments (Heritage Point, 2020).
What is the role of finance in lifespan management, including financing options for residents?
The central role of finance in lifespan management is to acquire services related to lifespan management. The largest merit for patients when they have finances is the capacity to move forward with an intervention they need immediately within the realm of lifespan management care. As such, insurance can be labelled as a crucial element needed in the accessibility of lifespan management care. Other than that, finance is also crucial in compensating the team involved in lifespan management. For providers to accord quality and safe care, they must be motivated through remuneration. Subsequently, finance is also integral in the accessibility of quality and safe care.
What is the importance of regulations for lifespan management?
The regulation of lifespan management is crucial in ensuring that patients receive quality and safe care at an affordable rate. Regulations achieve this by creating rules for patients, healthcare organizations, government, and civil societies. Besides, regulations also establish federal standards for the qualification and ensure the consistent compliance of these standards. Ultimately, regulations also prevent the exploitation of patients in lifespan management by limiting and preventing monopolies.
References
Alegbeleye, A. J. (2018). Life Span Management. In www.intechopen.com. IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/60124
Center for Disease Prevention. (2016). Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of Care. Nih.gov; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64088/
Heritage Point. (2020). Services in Heritage Point. Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne. https://heritagepointeoffortwayne.org/
Jackson, C., & Ball, L. (2018). Continuity of care: Vital, but how do we measure and promote it? Australian Journal of General Practice, 47(10), 662–664. https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-05-18-4568
Joszt, L. (2018, July 20). 5 vulnerable populations in healthcare. AJMC. https://www.ajmc.com/view/5-vulnerable-populations-in-healthcare