Download Health Care, Elder Care, and Persons with Disabilities

Health Care, Elder Care, and Persons with Disabilities
Impact Area Coordinator: [Student Name]
Why Health Care, Elder Care, and Persons with Disabilities?
It may not seem that these categories relate to each other, but everyone (including the elderly and persons with disabilities) will be
in need of health care at some point in their lives. In addition to our needs for health care, there are also specific needs and
challenges that face our elder and disabled populations. There is a need locally for basic health screenings, as well as assisting
persons with disabilities with therapeutic care and life skills strategies. There is also a large population of elderly who are sadly losing
friends and family to death and disease. By partnering with local agencies, we will be able to assist with the health care, therapeutic,
life skills, and social needs of those in our community.
What is Health Care?
According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA healthcare is broadly defined and includes any care,
service, or supply related to the mental or physical health of an individual. It is also defined as the treatment, management and
prevention of illness and the preservation of the physical and mental well-being of a person with the help of medical and allied
health professionals. (http://whatishealthcare.org/)
What is Elder Care?
Elder Care addresses the needs of senior citizens. This term encompasses such services as assisted living, adult day care, long term
care, nursing homes, hospice care and home care. Elder Care emphasizes the social and personal requirements of senior citizens
who need some assistance with daily activities and health care, but who desire to age with dignity.
What are Persons with Disabilities?
Federal laws define a person with a disability as "Any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one
or more major life activities; has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment." In general, a physical or
mental impairment includes hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, chronic mental illness, AIDS, AIDS Related
Complex, and mental retardation that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include walking,
talking, hearing, seeing, breathing, learning, performing manual tasks, and caring for oneself.
(http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/disabilities/inhousing)
Facts about Health Care, Elder Care, and Persons with Disabilities:
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In 2010, 22.2% of the non-institutionalized population in Lee County did not have medical insurance.
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An estimated 10 million Americans needed long-term care in 2000. Most but not all persons in need of long term care are
elderly. (http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=440&expandnodeid=480)
The number of disabled people in Florida is 2,366,590, or 12.8% of the total population. 3.9% of this population is under 18
years of age; 9.8% are between ages 18 – 64; and 9.8% are age 65 or older.
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(http://www.leechd.com/Director/CommunityHealthAssessment2011.pdf)
(http://acs-social-state.findthedata.org/q/10/4362/What-is-the-disability-population-in-Florida)
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In 2011, the number of uninsured adults ages 50-64 living in Florida was 817,725.
(http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/public_policy_institute/health/florida-quick-health-facts-2012-aarp-ppi-health.pdf)
Where You Can Get Involved:
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Cypress Cove Retirement Community (http://www.cypresscoveliving.org/)
Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast (http://www.cilgulfcoastflorida.org/)
Naples Equestrian Challenge (http://www.naplesequestrianchallenge.org/)
Senior Friendship Center (http://www.friendshipcenters.org/Locations/Lee.aspx)
Florida Gulf Coast University Office of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
07/19/2013