With the baby boomer generation entering retirement, how will we be able to afford medical care for everyone?


Question:
Fact: Medical care at the end of life cost about 10-12% of the total health care budget and 27% of the Medi-care budget. Doctors, patients, and patient's family are very reluctant to give up hope for a dying patient. Even when hospice and comfort care is available, people don't utilize it. With the baby boomer generation approaching retirement, how will we sustain adequate medical care for everyone and not waste it on foolish hope?

Answers:
I work in the health care field and feel that this will take more than one generation to change. Firstly - those who are over 60 - here in Canada - feel that it is their right to use all and any health care that is available as they fought with their gov't for the right to universal health care. Secondly - we need to implement better teaching to the younger generation who bring themselves to the emergency of a hosp because they have a cold etc. or because their baby has a temp of 100 and they do not have the knowledge or enough sense to give them baby tylenol, a tepid bath and to not put blankets on them driving up the temps. People know that there doesn't necessarily have to be an immediate 'end' for their loved one - thru knowledge gained thru the net, news media and just through reading. What people need to learn is that: Yes - your mother had a stroke - she is 78 years old - and yes - we can save her even tho' after a month she still cannot speak, feed herself, and does not seem to comprehend what is being said to her. She can be turned every hour to prevent bedsores, she can have passive physio to keep her muscles/ligaments etc. supple, we can feed her and hope she doesn't aspirate. But the question is: if she could speak and if her ability to comprehend what had happened was present - would she choose this?
I am very sorry to say that it is only thru teaching/learning, observing and asking those we care for - that we will be able to ensure that this is available for all. But - note that as I work in the health care field I also know that doctors need to learn not to request unjustified tests, and that we need to re-assess our management end - where there is more monies spent than on the actual care of the common man.

Am sure this does not resolve the issue - just brings in more discussion..

Other Answers:
how would you define "foolish hope", who would you consider a dying patient? i am too concerned that the money is running out but how do medical personal make the decision "give up hope"

I don't khow, but the baby boom might cause the USA to stop giving social security!




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