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| ==The Baby Boomers and Substance Abuse== | ==The Baby Boomers and Substance Abuse== | ||
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| + | There has been lots of research done on substance abuse in teen and adult years, but little research has been done on the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol in the elderly. Currently, the elderly population only holds a small percentage of people; however this number is growing drastically as the baby boomers reach elderly age (Dowling, Weiss & Condon, 2007). Every generation has alcoholics and substance abusers; however the problem seems much more prevalent in the baby boom generation than ever before. Because there has never been such a large cohort of people entering their senior years, there is little information on how to diagnose and treat elderly individuals with substance abuse problems, a reason why many cases of abuse have gone unnoticed. However treatment costs are skyrocketing because of this massive population that is increasingly more dependent on drugs, prescription medication and alcohol. It is because of this aging population, that substance abuse in the elderly is an increasing problem in our society today. | ||
| ==The Baby Boomers and Technology== | ==The Baby Boomers and Technology== | ||
Revision as of 13:47, 28 October 2011
Contents |
The Baby Boomers and Substance Abuse
There has been lots of research done on substance abuse in teen and adult years, but little research has been done on the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol in the elderly. Currently, the elderly population only holds a small percentage of people; however this number is growing drastically as the baby boomers reach elderly age (Dowling, Weiss & Condon, 2007). Every generation has alcoholics and substance abusers; however the problem seems much more prevalent in the baby boom generation than ever before. Because there has never been such a large cohort of people entering their senior years, there is little information on how to diagnose and treat elderly individuals with substance abuse problems, a reason why many cases of abuse have gone unnoticed. However treatment costs are skyrocketing because of this massive population that is increasingly more dependent on drugs, prescription medication and alcohol. It is because of this aging population, that substance abuse in the elderly is an increasing problem in our society today.
The Baby Boomers and Technology
Baby Boomers
The baby boomers are an extremely large group of individuals born between, 1946-1965(6). The first people from this generation are becoming senior citizens and with a huge number of people to follow the aging baby boomers pose many challenges (2). Simply put the aging baby boomers will mean an increase in demand for healthcare and an increase in the need for long term care facilities (2,1). We simply do not have the resources to meet these strains on our current systems to we have to look for other solutions to these problems. One possible solution is technology. Previous generations of senior citizens have been afraid of and opposed to technology (3); however, the boomers are characterised as a very different generation (6,2,3).The baby boomers are healthier (2,5), demanding (5), wealthy, educated (6) and most importantly do not fit previous stereotypes about senior citizens and technology (3). The baby boomers were the first generation to be brought up with televisions & other profound technological advances (3). Furthermore, the baby boomers are not anxious about using technology and have the experience with it to allow them to feel at ease (3). How will technology influence the aging baby boomers?
Technology to Keep Boomers at Home Longer
The baby boomers want to remain in their own homes, doing the same activities that they have been doing all of their lives (6). With the shortage of long term housing and the financial squeeze the boomers will place on the healthcare system, we have to make aging in place a reality (1,2, 4). Aging in place means remaining where you have lived for a long time, not in a nursing home, with the use of technology as your health conditions change (1) .Financially this is vital, to rework an individual’s home, to include the necessary technology, costs only 40% of the total cost of nursing home care (6).
Smart Homes
Smart homes are an automated environment that uses technology to allow comfort and independence (1,4). Smart homes can include an announcement system that informs the elderly individual of the day, time, appointments, and daily tasks (1). Seniors can also wear special shirts in their home that monitor vital signs, or pacemakers and allow physicians to monitor the individual (1). Devices that shut off the stove or running water can also help patients who suffer from dementia (4)
Medication Systems
A common problem for seniors is to remember to take their pills at the right time and in the right amount. Technologists have created automated dispensers that dispense only the proper amount, dispensers with locks have been created for people with dementia, and virtual pets have been created that prompt seniors to take their pills (1,5) These virtual pets get sick if their owners fail to follow their medication regime (1,5).
Computers
Computers are allowing seniors to do their shopping and banking from home (4), which helps them cope with mobility issues. Seniors also often feel isolated in their homes and the internet has provided solutions for this. There are now multiple seniors’ networks that allows seniors to interact through emails, blogs, and forums (1,4). The internet has made it possible for seniors living at home to interact with the outside world
Benefits
Technology that allows seniors to remain in their home allows them to feel empowered, capable, involved in their own health care, and engaged in the world around them (1). Technology use leads to fewer hospital visits and shorter stays at hospitals and nursing homes (2), benefiting not only the senior but also the healthcare system.
Technology in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are embracing technology. Care networks are being used in nursing homes in which the nurses and residents wear a device that interacts with sensors throughout the home. It alerts nurses if someone falls or if an at risk resident is trying to get out of bed. The system also records information about how prompt the nurses are at responding and how long they spend with the resident, ensuring a higher quality of care. Computer games are also being used to provide recreation for the elderly & for early detection of any possible declines (4). Nursing homes are even going as far as to use Wiis to promote balance in their at risk population. The physical demands of the game allow the residents to improve their balance (7). The key to the baby boom generation is that for technology to be effective it has to be accessible (4)
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