Case Study Analysis: Health and Socio Political Issues in Aged Care

This case study analyzes health and socio-political issues in aged care, addressing four key questions. The first question explores how services are designed to promote independence and active participation among older adults, considering positive and negative factors. The second question explains a model of health service delivery, specifically focusing on people-centered care, its principles, and benefits. The third question critiques the people-centered care model, discussing its strengths and weaknesses, including the challenges of implementation and staffing. The final question examines healthcare financing, emphasizing equity, the user contributor system, and the roles of various stakeholders, including the government, healthcare providers, and older adults, to ensure quality care. The analysis is supported by relevant references and adheres to APA referencing style.

Question 1
Active aging emerged as a concept in the 1990s, focusing on the relationship that exists
between health, aging, participation and independence (Grenier, & Phillipson, 2013). This
concept geared toward encouraging older adults to participate in society. The knowledge and
competence they possess are also recognized. Designing services that are in line with the concept
needs understanding that changes are inevitable. The older adults have needs and expectations
that will keep on changing from generation to generation (Czaja, Boot, Charness, & Rogers,
2019). Issues such as stigmatization and discrimination at the workplace should be addressed,
and the experience and skills of the older adults are valued. There are also factors such as social
isolation and the difficulty living independently- which has to be made more comfortable and
better. However, older adults are prone to many health problems which makes it hard for them to
get involved in most of the activities and also for them to live independently since they will need
support.
Question 2
There are various health care service delivery models in aged care. People-centered care is
one of such models. People centered care means making sure that health care services are made
to gather for the needs of the people and are fully involved in their care (Lusk, & Fater, 2013).
This is care where people, families and communities are educated, respected, supported, engaged
and treated with compassion and dignity. This care model enhances the experience, trust and the
overall outcome of care (Birkhäuer et al. 2017). People centered care also improves the quality
and efficiency of the health care system by ensuring that all the needs of the clients are identified
and addressed according. However, people-centered care is not standard practice, and several

changes have to be made to the health system in order to ensure maximum usage of this model.
The health care system needs to be reorganized and tailored to provide a working environment
for people centered care (Trastek, Hamilton, & Niles, 2014).
Question 3
People centered care is considered to be one of the best models of health care service
delivery in the aged since it focuses on providing a meaningful life to the people. This is by
considering all the aspects that surround the people and how it affects them so that the needs can
be identified. The whole focus of this model is "what matters to the people" and not "what is the
matter with the people." This, therefore, ensure that the clients are involved in the care since its
only them who understand what matters them (Miller, Brown, & Mangan, 2016). This is
important in supporting older people since they will feel part of their care and everything that
surrounds it will be important to them. They will be able to articulate their needs from their own
perceptions so that health care workers can analysis them and find ways to address their issues.
In addition, this will not only lead to better satisfaction of those receiving the care but also
promote the achievement of better health outcomes.
However, the use of people centered may also have a negative side, which makes it difficult
to use. The approach may be considered tedious and time-consuming. This is because the care
has to be individualized and focused on the people concern as compared to the other models
where care is generalized (Brownie, & Nancarrow, 2013). Moreover, they are shortages of
healthcare staff to facilitate this model. Therefore, everyone should be informed and educated
regarding this model in order to ensure efficiency. It will be great when there is support both

from the people, government as well as the aged care centres to ensure that people centered care
is fully applicable and meaningful.
Question 4
Provision of equal care to all old aged clients is mandatory. The quality of care given to
the clients should not be dependent on the amount they give after a particular service. Some old
clients may not afford the amount of finance at that point of care. Out of pocket payment can
sometimes be out of the clients' pocket. Depending on the socio-economic state of a client, the
amount of money one can raise varies. Some can raise finance instantly while others may have
difficulty in raising it. Despite this ought to be given quality care from the healthcare providers.
Equity is a virtue to uphold. A standard amount set to be paid for a given service must be
respected. In most cases, healthcare providers may be tempted to overcharge the old clients
seeking care. Overpricing occurs in cases where the clients are not in the knowledge of the
amount to pay, or some clients may be illiterate. With increasing age, some clients are not able to
read. The health care providers can, therefore, take advantage of this and overcharge them. The
overcharged amount will be used for personal reasons and will not be accounted for. Out of
pocket costs should be set for each service and be followed to the later. Equity calls for discipline
from the healthcare providers and those working in the payment departments of the hospital.
Provision of education of old clients on the user contributor system The government, in
collaboration with the healthcare system, gives education to its citizenry. Proper education is
given to the old population on the existence of the user contributor system. They are all educated
on the government's role and also their role in the system. The concern rose by this important

part of the population should also be answered accordingly. Through education, patient
satisfaction is achieved. In most cases, they won't feel like the healthcare system is exploiting
them. This improves the quality of care being provided.
Sound policymaking by the policymakers is a key pillar to this system of healthcare
financing. The Australian government relies on her policymakers to come up with ideas on how
to finance the cost of care given to the old. The policies passed affects all the parties involved,
including the clients. Proper financial policies should be made by the government to ensure that
the financing does not overburden any of the players involved. Some policies set may give much
burden of the finance to the old. They, because of lack of employment and inactivity, may not be
able to raise the amount of fees required from them. This will result in a failed system of
healthcare funding. Proper policies set sees the proper and considerate distribution of the roles
among the parties. The success of this system of financing lies in the policymakers (Sparkes et
al.,2019)
Collaborative decision making by the various disciplines and government is done. It is
through collaborative decisions where the healthcare system is shaped (Towe et al.,2016). The
parties involved in the payment for the healthcare of the old include the government, private
insurance bodies, clients and sponsors. The Australian government pays some amount to cater
for the cost of healthcare given to the old (Ratnanesan et al. 2014). Despite this, the consumers
are required to make a small payment for the service they receive. This is a participation of the
government, the clients and the healthcare providers. These parties should, therefore, be involved
in the making of decisions on the percentage of the total cost they give. This brings a sense of
inclusivity to the healthcare system. The result is patient satisfaction and improved quality of
care.

References
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