28 Sep Cost of Chronic Illness

HP626 Sociological, Political, and Economic Perspectives in Gerontology

Week 7 Discussion

If your first name begins with the letters A-M: Topic 1 – Cost of Chronic Illness

Using the learning materials to support your claims, respond to the following prompts in your initial post:

Managing chronic illness is a major challenge for the U.S. healthcare system. This challenge is often related to an inability to control the choices people make (for example, diabetics who choose a poor diet that later exacerbates their health complications).

From the readings, identify two factors associated with healthcare spending that must be addressed. Why did you choose those two factors?

What is a possible solution to efficiently and effectively manage the care of the chronically ill? Use the readings and/or video to support your answer.

Describe the current burden of chronic mental illness on our healthcare system.

What factors related to mental health disparities and cost did you find surprising?

Discuss how these challenges would impact you as an aging service provider and leader in a long-term care organization.

Your initial post should be 500 to 700 words, with one to two supporting references included.

If your first name begins with the letters N-Z: Topic 2 – Economic and Social Cost of Dementia

Using the learning materials to support your claims, respond to the following prompts in your original post:

Consider the multiple costs of dementia. The impact of dementia on individuals, as well as on their families, is significant; but what about the costs that ripple through the healthcare system, as well as through society? Describe the economic and emotional costs dementia has on multiple levels.

As a service provider for aging adults, how do these costs impact your ability to care for aging adults? Discuss the financial burden of dementia and the cost in a residential setting.

Your initial post should be 500 to 700 words, with one to two supporting references included.