Senior citizens in rural areas may have difficulty finding homecare

Many seniors in remote areas in the United States may have difficulty locating an aide who can provide them with skilled nursing care. One project in Rochester, New York, is trying to change that, according to SeniorJournal.com.


The University of Rochester Medical Center and the Genesee Valley Health Partnership, in collaboration with the Livingston County Department of Health and Office for the Aging, have created the Livingston Help For Seniors program.


Bringing together physicians, social and aging services, this project is meant to help seniors who may otherwise find it difficult to access healthcare resources.

Emergency Medical Services technicians have made house calls to evaluate older adults for fall risk and depression, while other professionals have helped with paperwork, the weatherization of homes and medical questions.


"Despite frequent contact with their primary doctors, elderly adults often have unmet needs that can only be identified in a home visit," said associate professor in emergency medicine Manish N. Shah, according to the news provider.


CFRA.org reports that one in five Americans without health insurance lives in a rural part of the country, where it is often difficult to visit doctors and fulfill basic health requirements.


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