“Preparing More Care of Elderly” (The New Landscape, June 29) effectively highlighted the issues resulting from the population explosion of the elderly and the challenges to meet their medical and social needs.
The studies demonstrate that the pro-active approach of education and access to medical treatment promotes a higher level of functioning, quality of life and reduces unnecessary hospital stays and costs. As an elder carespecialist, I applaud the practitioners who recognize the problem and advocate for better funding. A reevaluation of the money appropriated to the health care system to improve deliver of care is a necessary step.
Baby boomers must get better at eldercare now or will age into this population without safeguards. Caring for the elderly is a profession of the heart, but the system is broken and needs mending and that requires the mind.
Teri Koff, LCSW, CMC
New York
The writer, a social worker, is an elder-care specialist.
