Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Post by Health Student from another University
I am a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and am majoring in Kinesiology. I think the fitness and health and wellness field actually has a unique connection to the idea of long-term health care. As I am learning in classes, some drastic changes in the fitness field are currently underway. The first lady Mrs. Obama just recently started a bill to begin the fight against sedentary lifestyles and the obesity epidemic. My guess is that some individuals who receive long-term care need it because they did not live healthy enough lifestyles. Being a kinesiology major, the current trends and emphasis in the field are in preventative measures and promoting healthy active lifestyles. I’m not sure if this thought process puts me for or against long-term care. I am against it as a fitness major because it kind of seems like a bailout care plan to individuals who did not live a healthy lifestyles and thus are now suffering the consequences. However, I also believe there are many situations where an individual had/has no control over their health and suffered an unfortunate occurrence that leads them to rely on long term care.
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I definitely don't think that long term care is a "bailout care plan." As we have learned in class, it's an important part of the health care system. It's a wide array of services, not just nursing homes, as some may think. Long term facilities promote the maximum possible independence for people with functional limitations maximizing their quality of life. Long term care isn't just the elderly, but includes children and those with disabilities as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Pakou. When most people think of long term care they automatically think of elderly and nursing homes but it is so much more than that.
ReplyDeleteAs stated above, I understand the unique connection between long term care and an unhealthy lifestyle but I also see the other side. Elders that were unhealthy are not the only ones that need long term care. The healthy ones do too along with many other ages and ranges of people. Though I do feel the healthy lifestyle aspect can be implemented in the long term health facilities more, such as more range of motion, walks (if possible), soft ball tossing activities etc that are safe but also good for the person's overall physical and social well being.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand where it could be seen as a bailout plan. It is definitely important for some populations. Other users of LTC may have been able to prevent the need for it. Overweight individuals who require care because they no longer can care for themselves could have avoided the need for LTC if they took care of themselves health wise. She brings up a good point about implementing activities in certain LTC facilities.
ReplyDeleteIt is irrelevant whether or not LTC is seen as a bailout plan. If a person needs assistance or care from another, they can't be denied it. Also, I do believe that living a healthy lifestyle should be implemented in LTC and other facilities.
ReplyDeleteAs a society I think we are moving more toward preventative health. With this shift toward living healthier lifestyles, I hope long term care will become less of a burden.
ReplyDeleteThank you for authoring on this blog. I appreciate your thoughts about improving health care and hope you will comment on other postings in this blog or other blogs about health care.
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