Population Trends Highlight Need for Case Management Professionals
Aging U.S. population and growing incidence of chronic diseases place more demands on the role of case managers, who help individuals and their families navigate services and support, including long-term care
Belleville, Ill. – Oct. 8, 2008 – An aging U.S. population and the growing incidence of chronic diseases are placing a greater strain on healthcare, assisted living and other resources for people and their families, according to the
Case Management Society of America. During National Case Management Week—Oct. 12 to 18, the CMSA and other organizations, including Allsup, are helping to raise awareness about the significant role of case managers in the wake of these trends. Allsup is the nation’s largest non-attorney Social Security Disability Insurance representation company.
The population of U.S. residents age 85 and older is expected to reach nearly 21 million by 2050, according to a story in the August/September issue of CMSA’s magazine,
Case In Point.
The story, “America Is Turning Gray,” examines the impact of a more active, older population. While many people are living better and longer, chronic and age-related diseases also are on the upswing. For example, diagnoses of
Alzheimer’s disease are expected to quadruple over the next 50 years, resulting in an incidence rate of one in 45 people.
One result is an increasing demand for assistance in locating long-term care and assisted-living facilities. To address this development, the CMSA recently launched a new tool, the
Senior Housing Locator by SNAPfor Seniors™, according to a news release.
Case managers play pivotal roles for families by helping them navigate housing and care options for patients. Their roles cover a range of duties, including assessing and monitoring patients, determining their eligibility for treatments and arranging for additional services that individuals require.
Every day, case managers receive calls from individuals, family members and caregivers seeking their assistance and intervention. The week of Oct. 12 to 18 provides an opportunity to say thank you for the efforts of case managers who work for government agencies, long-term care facilities, nonprofits, rehabilitation facilities and in other settings.
Allsup is saluting case management professionals during National Case Management Week with
free posters available to case managers, clinics and other community groups by calling Karen Hercules-Doerr at (800) 854-1418, ext. 5770.