The Crucial Role of Healthcare in Older Adults’ Well-Being
The healthcare system is vital to everyone’s life, as it generates health indicators for different population groups. This is particularly important for older persons whose health requires constant professional monitoring. Access to and quality of health care affect the well-being of people in old age, as health is the most critical factor in life. Limited or substandard assistance can harm health, and policymakers need to ensure equal access to health care for every resident.
Barriers to Access: Social Determinants and Vulnerability
Limited access to health care is a problem that is particularly acute for the vulnerable. Social determinants such as income and transportation can become barriers to access to health care (Baum, 2018). Older persons may receive inadequate treatment, resulting in poor health. For example, suppose a person has limited financial resources. In that case, they will be unable to pay for medicines, medical examinations, and procedures, jeopardizing overall health.
The Impact of Care Quality on Older Persons’ Health
The quality of health care also affects the health of older persons. Disparities in health care led to inequalities among different segments of the population, and older persons often have age-related diseases that require specialized care (Islam, 2019). Inadequate levels of care, such as improper training of healthcare providers to meet the demands, can lead to misdiagnosis and treatment errors.
Rural Healthcare Challenges and Consequences
An individual case can be considered to better demonstrate the impact of the health system on older persons. For example, people live in rural areas without access to health facilities. Problems with transportation and the lack of medical facilities near the house make it difficult to prevent and provide timely assistance to older adults. Thus, health conditions requiring diagnosis and treatment can only worsen, with serious consequences for the patient’s quality of life in the future.
Policy and Professional Responsibilities in Improving Healthcare Access
Finally, the health system is a social determinant that significantly impacts the quality of life of older persons. Because they are vulnerable, ready access to medicine can be detrimental to such people, and its consequences can be critical. Both policymakers and health professionals must consider addressing the issue to ensure that all residents receive the same level of health care and have access to the health system. Recognizing and addressing the real challenges will make it possible to develop a more effective healthcare system that meets the needs of everyone.
References
Baum, F. (2018). People’s health and the social determinants of health. Health Promotion Journal of Australia: Official Journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals, 29(1), 8–9. Web.
Islam, M. M. (2019). Social determinants of health and related inequalities: Confusion and implications. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 11. Web.