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Population, Demand Make Home Health Care More Popular

03.16.2016

  • homehealth

    The number of aging adults and their desire to age in place are among the top factors driving the growth in home health care services.

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, home health aide jobs are projected to grow 38 percent between 2014 and 2024, which is much faster than average and is partially attributed to a growing population of elderly. In addition, the projected growth is due to the demand for services within the home.

    A study by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the AARP Public Policy Institute showed 80 percent of adults 65 and older want to remain in their homes as long as possible.

    One reason adults offer for wanting to stay is familiarity. Knowing how to navigate the home, where to find everything and even the familiarity of a home’s unique sounds can be reassuring and comforting in a time when health issues can be causing feelings of uncertainty.

    For others, aging in place means remaining close to a support system. Staying at home can keep people closer to relatives and friends and near neighbors with whom they have built relationships, usually over a long period of time. The proximity of those who are supportive offers a sense of security and also can be key to their continued interaction with the community. For those who are homebound it provides a social element with neighbors visiting or stopping by to help with meals or errands.

    Being in a place that makes older adults happy can be beneficial to their health. A home can be the place where happy memories were made. Older adults are often the center of the family and their home is the place where people gather for holidays or family meals.