In 2009, over one in every eight, or 12.8 percent of the population was an older American (65+). By 2030, one in every five, or 20 percent of the population, will be an older American. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006)In 2007, 80 percent of older adults had at least one chronic condition and two-thirds of all health care costs are spent on chronic disease management. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Merck Company Foundation: The State of Aging and Health in America Report, 2007)The cost of providing health care for one person aged 65 or older is three to five times greater than the cost for someone younger than 65. (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2005)By 2030, health care spending will increase by 25 percent, largely because the population will be older. (Ibid)

Amedisys is currently working with several universities to study and measure the quality of home health care and also is a leader in providing a number of chronic care management programs to ensure quality patient care while controlling costs. Programs include those for wound care, cardiac, diabetes, rehabilitation, pain management, behavioral health, COPD, stroke, chronic kidney disease, orthopedics and surgical recovery.

In conclusion, Mears offered the outstanding needs and questions that the industry must address in order to be well-prepared for the aging population. They include: the need for increased consumer knowledge of quality measures; understanding that quality measures may impact payment reform; the need for consistency across measures; and the need for increased research in post acute settings.

SOURCE Amedisys