The New Eldercare Service Model Must Be One Of Inclusion

Chapter Health Disparities in America The new eldercare service model must be one of inclusion. We can no longer afford to marginalize any group of seniors. –Author Introduction I n the United States, wealth is the strongest determinant of health; and the strength of this relationship is profound and continues to increase. Wealth confers many benefits that are associated with health and quality of life outcomes. Wealth creates disparities in high quality education, employment, housing, childcare, nutrition, leisure activities, access to quality medical care, and safer and cleaner neighborhoods. Economic studies, the national press, and forward thinking political leaders are reporting on the major wealth disparities that already exist†¦show more content†¦The Affordable Care Act is moving us in the right direction, but the social inequities and discrimination remain the same. We can’t purport to have a national goal to â€Å"eliminate health disparities† and continue to accept the social inequities that come from such a major gap in wealth. If we hope to solve the pressing issues of eldercare, these inequities must be addressed head on now and in the future. Otherwise, those who are caregivers now may not have access to the care they will need in the future. Defining Health Disparity The United States Department of Health has an overarching goal â€Å"to eliminate health disparities.† This term has no absolute definition. It is most often defined as â€Å"health differences that occur by gender, race or ethnicity, education or income, disability, living in rural localities, or sexual orientation,† or â€Å"population specific difference in the presence of disease, health outcomes, or access to care.† Many factors cause health disparities. Older adults face challenges in one or all of these disparities. Depending on their living conditions and life-time health problems, they may be in double or triple jeopardy, increasing their risk for serious illness and need for eldercare. Defining Health Care Disparities The Institute of Medicine (IOM) defines health care disparities as the â€Å"difference in the quality of care received by minorities and non-minorities who have equal access to care.† Health care disparities can be affected by how