Elderly Care in America

History of Elderly Care in America

No one can deny the cycle of life. At some point we all age and depending on our circumstances we will need some amount of care. Elderly Americans lives have changed throughout time. In the 1700’s children were the key to an aging individual’s survival. Families were closer knit than they are today. The younger generation almost expected to be responsible for their aging parents at some point providing their parents lived to these later years which at this time, occurred less often.

As we made it into the 1800’s things changed significantly. Children were more likely to move away from their parents because regulations only allowed a small amount of division on a plot of land. Many moved to cities to find work, others moved to the west where buying land was less expensive. This left aging parents with no one to care for them as they aged. This left many seeking refuge in poorhouses. In some states almshouses, poor farms, infirmaries, asylums, and county homes were also created to help those with need. While these poorhouses accommodated the elderly with a roof over their head these places were most often in horrific condition. Aside from this inadequacy the elderly were often frightened or injured by the insane, criminal, or alcoholic population housed in these establishments. In response to these growing difficulties many nonprofit organizations began building old age homes. In return for residency in one of these improved developments an individual was expected to pay a fee or turn over their pension to the owners of the particular residence. The difficulty with these homes is that they were more specifically residential and did not offer much medical care. At times, doctors would board some of the sickest patients in his own home. The need became evident for change and many of these nonprofit organizations took the initiative to provide it by building better facilities and hiring physicians to accommodate their residents.

In the 1900’s nursing emerged. This allowed the elderly another option. Nurses were often hired to come in to an individual’s home and provide care to one who was elderly. Though many couldn’t afford private care nurses, home care services were also growing at this time and were able to aid in supplying poorer individuals with appropriate care. Between the 1700’s and 1900’s the numbers of people living to an elder age greatly increased. By 1930 the average life expectancy increased by ten years. This was largely due to the increase of medical care available for the elderly.

The effort to provide adequate care for the elderly is still a concern today. Although we have taken great strides with significant success there is still much more to do. Medicare and other provisions have been made available to help maintain medical care for the aged. Unfortunately, these programs are always in need of improvement. However, many more options are available for those in their retiring years as apposed to years gone by. Adult day care, independent living, assisted living, nursing homes, retirement communities, and home health care are widely available for the elderly today. However, not all are government regulated and concern needs to be taking when choosing the appropriate accommodations for you or your loved one. Thoroughly investigate a potential option before making a decision. These are precious years and will be better lived without concerns of inadequacy or mistreatment.