Golden Era: Rising Importance of Dignified Elder Care

Understanding the particular challenges that face the elderly — such as loneliness, chronic health problems, mobility issues, and more — is essential. Community leaders are urged to consider the types of services that would best benefit their area. Senior-friendly initiatives respond to the felt needs of older adults in each community and foster an environment in which older adults are more valued and included.

Create Inclusive Social Programs

Enabling senior citizens to participate in social activities can reduce feelings of isolation and help them lead a better life. Seniors can stay social by regularly participating in social activities like tea parties, book readings, dancing, and exercise classes. 

Community-minded socially motivated programs can help ensure that elderly individuals stay active, engaged, and cared for in appropriate settings, which greatly reduces the risk of abuse and exploitation.

Establishing Access to Health and Wellness Services

Ensuring that health and wellness are readily accessible is crucial for maintaining the health of the growing senior population. Communities can support their aging populations by developing health and wellness programs designed specifically for their needs. 

Transport services for medical appointments, health clinics at centralized locations, and doorstep ambulances for home-based healthcare are examples. Additionally, communities can collaborate with local medical practitioners and pharmacists (among others) to offer ongoing health monitoring and health seminars related to the diseases that most commonly afflict older adults. 

​Creating Affordable and Secure Housing

Elderly care can rise to the level of dignified treatment when it has guaranteed access to secure and affordable housing. Addressing access to secure and affordable housing can be supported by communities through the development of housing options designed specifically to meet the needs of seniors; for older citizens, this could include retrofitting homes.  Public support for affordable senior living ensures older adults with limited resources can afford a nice place to live. By focusing on house-for-life homes, a community can offer a stable, nurturing living environment in which aging residents feel right at home,

​Support to Veterans

War veterans have unique needs that are not always met by primary care physicians. More and more of these surviving members are seeking specialized health services that address complex chronic or service-related conditions related to their military service. Elderly veterans are especially distressed by service-related illnesses due to delayed military care and asbestos exposure. There is an urgent need to provide comprehensive healthcare in the form of combined federal-state programs, social services, and physical infrastructure for elderly veterans. The healthcare structure should include acute-phase care in VA Medical Centers, Medical homes, Nursing homes, a support for veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other inpatient settings. 

In conclusion, by understanding the needs of seniors; creating social programs that anyone can join; providing accessible health care; developing low-cost housing with high-quality standards; encouraging senior volunteering; and ensuring caregivers are supported, we will foster an environment where the elderly can have a dignified aging experience. Such activities increase the quality of life for older adults and strengthen the community socially, ensuring that people of all ages may thrive together.

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