The pandemic has affected us all. It has altered our ideas of what is traditional and has pushed us to accept new ways of living. Yet, after the pandemic is over, many will be accustomed to the changes that were once unfamiliar.
How the pandemic accelerated the demand for home healthcare
Home healthcare has always been popular, but with the pandemic, it has expedited its demand. Before the pandemic had affected our lives, many home care agencies were already struggling to meet the demand. Many elders prefer to stay in their own homes than live in long term care homes after what had occurred and brought to their attention during the pandemic. There are individuals with underlying medical conditions that are hesitant to go to the hospital and much rather receive care at home. There are those who have contracted the virus that may also need home care.
With the pandemic, many avoid visiting hospitals as much as they can. Home healthcare has become the preference among many patients and providers. According to a Kaufman Hall Survey, it highlights that 54% of individuals would rather delay the care that they need in fear of contracting the virus (Seth, 2020). Out of that, 43% delayed their care because of the fear of going to a hospital (Seth, 2020).
Reasons for the demand in home healthcare
The demand for home healthcare will skyrocket in the upcoming years due to the ageing population. The need for home healthcare workers will grow at an increasingly fast pace because human beings are living longer, and some are living with chronic diseases that require help.
The World Health Organization indicates that by 2050, there will be 2 billion individuals who are 60 years of age or older, in comparison to 900 million in 2015. The population is only getting older, and the services that cater to our elders will grow respectively.
The baby boomers are one of the reasons that will be driving the demand for home healthcare. In the US, every day, 10,000 baby boomers will be turning 65. By 2030, those over the age of 65 will make up 18% of the US population.
As individuals get older, they will require more healthcare services than any other demographics, and they will prefer home care. In the US, 70% will no longer be able to take care of themselves and will need help when they reach the age of 65 (Bruce, 2019). As the population is getting older, the need and demand for solutions that will allow our older generations to stay at home will rise.
The value of independence
Values and desires have shifted amongst our elders. Many seniors place independence as an essential aspect that they value. In 2018, The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) conducted a survey that illustrates that 3 out of 4 individuals over the age of 50 will want to live in their own homes as they grow old (Schroeder, 2021). In 2018, 80% of Americans over the age of 50 want to reside at home, rather than at a nursing home (Campbell, 2019). Since 2000, 1000 nursing homes in the US have closed.
Benefits of home healthcare
As many say, there is no place like home. Home is where everyone feels the most comfortable and at ease. Being at home allows the patient to maintain ties with their friends and family, achieve a greater level of comfort, and reduce anxiety and pain.
Home healthcare provides seniors independence, and dignity, while still getting the help they need. They can stick to their regular routines, and service is more personalized, as it provides one-on-one care. In terms of a business standpoint, home healthcare is less costly, as it helps reduce costs through the decrease in hospitalizations. By 2026, the US predicts that roughly 1.2 million new home caregiver positions will be present.
Ensuring satisfaction from both patients and employees
Treating our elders with respect is one of the first lessons we know. Many seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, and many families want to respect that. Ensuring that both patients and employees are happy is extremely important for an industry that will continue to grow.
Receiving feedback from both employees and customers is a start to ensure satisfaction. Feedback helps businesses understand the needs of their employees and customers and provides businesses with insight into what they can do to improve the overall experience for both.
How we can help
Retainify is a solution for businesses that want to learn more about their employees and customers. Businesses can access feedback from their staff and customers in real-time as well as customize and automate their employee and patient satisfaction surveys.
For more information on what Retainify can do for you and your employees, schedule a time to meet with us.
Questions or Feedback?
Contact Us: hello@retainify.com
Citations:
Bruce, D. F. (2019, July 28). Demand on the Rise for Home Healthcare. Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/demand-on-rise-home-health-care
Campbell, A. (2019, August 21). Home health aides care for the elderly. Who will care for them? Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/8/21/20694768/home-health-aides-elder-care
Farrell, C. (2018, April 18). The Shortage Of Home Care Workers: Worse Than You Think. Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2018/04/18/the-shortage-of-home-care-workers-worse-than-you-think/?sh=14a21e383ddd
Gandhi Alice Bonner Stephen Muething Caitlin Lorincz Patricia McTiernan, T., Bonner, A., Muething, S., & Lorincz, C. (2019, March 20). As Home Care Expands, Let's Make It Safer For Everyone. Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190313.270650/full/
M. (2020, August 31). The benefits of home health care for seniors and families. Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://meetcaregivers.com/benefits-of-home-health-care/
Pardue-Spears, C. (2017, March 13). 10 advantages & benefits of home care for seniors. Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://familymattershc.com/10-benefits-of-home-care/
Reddy, M., Stall, N., & Rochon, P. (2020, May 18). How coronavirus could forever change home health care, leaving vulnerable older adults without care and overburdening caregivers. Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://theconversation.com/how-coronavirus-could-forever-change-home-health-care-leaving-vulnerable-older-adults-without-care-and-overburdening-caregivers-137220
Schroeder, B. (2021, April 05). The Future Of Healthcare Is Coming Home: Three Major Trends To Leverage For Startups. Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernhardschroeder/2021/04/05/the-future-of-healthcare-is-coming-home-three-major-trends-to-leverage-for-startups/?sh=74cd25993048
Seth, J, (2020, August 5). Home Health Care Is A Bright Light During Covid-19 With An Even Brighter Future. Retrieved July 27th, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/sethjoseph/2020/08/05/home-health-care-is-a-bright-light-during-covid-19-with-an-even-brighter-future/?sh=40c5b8811389
World Health Organization. (2018, February 5). Ageing and health. Retrieved July 27, 2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
World Health Organization. (2021, October 4). Elder abuse. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/elder-abuse