According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 22% of the global population will be over 60 by 2050. To keep up with this increase in senior citizens, health care organizations and providers will need to dedicate additional time and resources to elder care services.
In this article, we will explore practical tools and strategies for supporting older adults, including:
Elder care describes the different types of personal and medical support that are given to adults as they age. This includes health care services as well as support with household tasks and activities of daily living (ADLs) (Edemekong, 2023). Quality elder care takes a whole person approach, taking physical, mental, cognitive, social, and spiritual health into consideration.
Elder care aims to ensure the safety, health, and wellbeing of older adults, and includes services such as:
Seniors can receive these services either at home or within assisted living facilities. 77% of adults over 50 prefer to age in place, which makes home health services especially important as the elderly population continues to increase worldwide (Forbes, 2024).
Elder care needs vary from person to person, but some of the most commonly requested services for senior citizens include:
Should an older adult discover they have cognitive impairment, creating a care plan alongside caregivers and healthcare providers can determine which elder care services would be most beneficial.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2022 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures Special Report revealed that up to 18% of adults over 60 are living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Along with this, 10-15% of older adults with MCI develop dementia each year.
However, 40% of primary care providers report that they do not feel confident when it comes to making these diagnoses (Alzheimer’s Association, 2024). Cognitive health tools, such as assessments and care plans, enable providers to effectively diagnose and provide care for elderly patients.
With the 10 million patients diagnosed with dementia each year, cognitive screening is an important component of doctors’ appointments for senior citizens (Alzheimer’s Association, 2024). In fact, under Medicare Advantage, it’s a required part of patients’ annual wellness appointments.
Creyos offers accessible, scientifically-backed cognitive screening tools can help providers:
Many older adults and their families report being overwhelmed by a lack of coordination between providers, and rely on their primary care provider to manage and coordinate care (Stolee et al., 2021). However, family doctors report spending 19 hours a week on administrative tasks, which reduces their capacity to give patients the highest quality care (OFP, 2024).
Standardized, integrated assessment tools and reports cut down that burden, and improve quality of life for patients and providers alike.
Historically, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been the go-to screening tool for signs of dementia. However, this test does not always catch the earliest signs of cognitive decline, and often requires a further neuropsychological exam.
Along with this, the MoCA was developed and standardized with educated patients, which can lead to inaccurate results for patients with lower education levels (Julayanont et al., 2017). Poverty is a major factor in the quality of healthcare, and equitable elder care can improve outcomes for low-income patients (2018).
In contrast to the MoCA, cognitive tasks and assessments from Creyos:
Once a screener or assessment has detected signs of cognitive impairment or dementia, older adults and their families can experience anxiety about what comes next (Alzheimer’s Society). Cognitive care planning helps to determine the next steps for patients and provide elder care resources for their caregivers.
Creating a care plan typically happens in three steps:
Care planning might include exploring and documenting:
Cognitive care plans will all look different depending on the needs of patients and their families, but assessment tools can streamline early parts of the process. When a patient completes the dementia screener and assessment with Creyos, their health care provider can automatically upload the results into a care plan that’s integrated into the patient’s health records.
In one review, participants with symptoms of depression were 28% more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to dementia (Mourao et al., 2015). Mental health assessments are a crucial part of elder care, and can make the difference in cognitive health outcomes.
Some mental and behavioral health questionnaires for seniors include:
Anxiety and agitation are common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association). Using multiple cognitive and behavioral assessments can help prevent misdiagnosis and discover the root of the problem. If it turns out a patient’s challenges are emotional rather than cognitive, providers have important data to help provide compassionate care.
For example, in one study, physicians reported that elderly patients often have unique emotional responses to health care settings like hospitals (Samra et al., 2015). Some display intense anxiety that makes it hard to retain treatment information, while others rely on health care settings as a place for social connection (Mah et al., 2023). If a patient is exhibiting ongoing loneliness, connecting them with companionship services from trained volunteers could increase their overall wellness.
There are a few key characteristics of effective elder care services:
Elder care often requires a multidisciplinary team of coordinators, such as physicians, neurologists, and social workers. Continuity of care ensures that elderly patients have as seamless an experience as possible, which is especially important when managing confusion that comes with cognitive impairment (Gulliford et al., 2006).
Integrating test results into patients’ health records keeps providers in the loop, and reduces administrative strain in the long run.
One study showed that 15.6% of patients who avoid seeking health care reported doing so because of time constraints (Taber et al., 2015). Whether it’s an annual wellness visit or a specialist appointment, patients want their time to be used effectively. For older adults who might have a harder time getting out of the house, this is even more important.
According to the National Institute on Aging, speaking plainly, avoiding rushing, and writing down information are a few key ways to improve communication with elderly patients. Efficient computerized cognitive assessments are one way to cut down on screening time so providers can dedicate the time necessary for senior citizens’ communication needs.
Along with this, listening to patients’ concerns and clearly communicating test results are key components of evidence-based practice. For GT Healthcare, behavioral health questionnaires provided patients with data to validate their diagnoses. This measurable data built more trust than subjective opinions alone, and empowered patients to engage with their treatment plan.
When patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia begin to experience notable cognitive decline, providers often end up collaborating with their caregivers. This might involve suggesting options for adult day programs and home health care, or educating family members on common symptoms of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association provides resources for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients at all stages.
Many caregivers of seniors are senior citizens themselves—34% of all caregivers aged 65 and older provide care for a spouse or partner (StatCan, 2020). Checking in on caregivers plays a crucial role in the long-term wellness of both partners.
The patient-centered care model has a several key components:
Many seniors have embraced technology, but electronic device usage is still lower in older adults compared to younger adults, which can be a challenge as telehealth continues to become more prevalent in elder care and beyond (2017). Yukon Neurology found that the gamified, easy-to-use cognitive assessments from Creyos helped to reduce patient anxiety. Along with this, it gave patients the information they needed to engage with their treatment plan.
With the increasing need for elder care, a doctor’s office that can provide services specifically designed for seniors is more likely to be financially sustainable in the long run (World Health Organization). A key part of this process is understanding which services are covered by insurance providers so clinicians can get proper reimbursement.
There are several CPT codes for older adults that providers can bill for. CPT code 99483 covers assessment and care planning for patients with cognitive impairment including MCI, Alzheimer’s disease at any stage, and other types of dementia. For visits that exceed the 60-minute timeframe, providers can use HCPCS code G2212.
On a patient-facing level, patients and their families will often inquire about which services are covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
Some elder care services that are covered by Medicare benefits include:
For a more comprehensive look, the Medicare website includes a tool that helps patients and providers find local services that are covered.
Some elder care services that are covered by Medicaid benefits include:
As the senior population continues to grow on a global scale, elder care is more important than ever. With comprehensive resources and standardized assessments, doctors can support older adults with cognitive health care and beyond.
Contact us today to learn more about how Creyos offers scientifically-backed assessment tools that can help your elderly patients.