On July 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announced Dedicate more than $200 million to the Geriatrics Workforce Strengthening Program, funding 42 programs to train more primary care physicians, nurses, and other clinicians on how to provide geriatric and dementia-sensitive care to older adults. Specifically, integrate more geriatrics training into primary care so clinicians can better identify and address the needs of older patients.
According to Health Resources and Services Administration Director Carol Johnson, this is a critical investment to help caregivers meet the challenges of an aging population.
“We are committed to supporting the clinicians who entrust their care to older patients, especially those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as they age,” she said in the release.
Journalists may want to investigate how well geriatric care workers are serving older adults in their community. They could also find out if local health care organizations are actively recruiting or onboarding new professionals. Geriatrics Human Resource Development ProgramOr, contact your local medical school to find out about efforts they are making to recruit more students into geriatrics and to find out if they are prioritizing geriatrics study in their curriculum.
Why is this important?
Many older patients receive the majority of their medical care from their primary care physicians, not all of whom are up to date on the latest geriatric research or understand the changing needs of older patients. There is a serious shortage of geriatric specialists in the United States, Approximately 7,400 certified geriatricians For some 58 million People aged 65 and over. In contrast, there will be approximately 60,000 pediatricians practicing in 2021. Approximately 82 million people For those under 19 years old, The Washington Post.
Integrating geriatrics into primary care practice can help address workforce shortages and educate family members and other caregivers of older adults how to provide the best care.
The Census Bureau By 2035, the population aged 65 and over is projected to exceed the population under 18. By 2050, the number of seniors is projected to grow to 82 million, rising from approximately 17% to 23% of the population. Population Reference BureauPeople over 65 are living longer with multiple chronic conditions, including Alzheimer’s and other dementias. More medical services More than any other demographic. Unless there are more expertsMuch of this care will be provided by primary care clinicians and paid and unpaid carers.
“Meeting the health care needs of older adults is a top priority,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the announcement, “which is why we’re helping to develop the health care workforce we need to care for our aging friends and family.”
Addressing Parkinson’s Disease
President Biden signs HR 2365The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Disease Act, by Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Rep. Jennifer Wexton, was signed into law on July 2. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a government-wide plan to address Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, evaluate progress, and convene a Parkinson’s Disease Advisory Council. This is the first federal bill to specifically target this degenerative disease, which affects more than one million people in the United States. Parkinson’s Disease FoundationThis figure is expected to rise further in the future. 1.2 million by 2030.
According to John L. Rea, president and CEO of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the legislation will increase public awareness of the disease, significantly improve research funding, improve early diagnosis and treatment pathways, galvanize new patient care models, and address health disparities in diagnosis, treatment and clinical trial participation. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease.
It can also occur in adults under the age of 50, Neurodegenerative diseasesthat Most commonly affected People over 60 years old.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and is named after Bilirakis’ brother, who died in May after a years-long battle with the disease, and Rep. Jennifer Weston (D-Va.), who is battling another rare neurodegenerative disease. Progressive supranuclear palsy According to (PSP): statement From Mr. Bilirakis’ office.
and Current chatter For those worried that President Biden or anyone else in the White House may have the disease, the journalist Setting the record straight And we educate our audience about the disease, its symptoms and prognosis.
