Successful Aging Home Health is a healthcare company known for providing quality geriatric care services in Pennsylvania. Successful Aging provides long, or short-term services as well as round-the-clock personal care when needed. In the following article, owner of Successful Aging, Innocent Onwubiko discusses the future of home health care in the years to come.
Given the recent shift towards working from home, it should come as no surprise that the healthcare industry is experiencing a similar revolution. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many Medicare FFS healthcare providers have realized that their services could be better offered in the comfort of their patients’ homes. As the industry continues down this path, roughly a quarter of all FFS services could transition to home healthcare says Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging.
Although COVID-19 crystalized a national shift towards home healthcare, it’s been a growing trend in recent years driven by technological advancements, an aging population, and a need for more effective long-term care. In this post, Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging explores some of these factors and discuss how home healthcare is quickly becoming one of the most influential areas of the healthcare industry.
How Home Healthcare Has Come So Far
Medicare FFS home healthcare has come a long way since its inception in the 1960s. To date, the industry has grown from a few hundred thousand patients to over 12 million in just a few decades. While it may seem like a short-term burst in response to COVID lockdowns and safety precautions, this growth is largely due to the following three factors:
- An aging population: The number of Americans over the age of 65 is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 80 million by 2040. This demographic shift has increased the demand for home healthcare services, as seniors are more likely to need assistance with activities of daily living says Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging.
- Technological advancements: Home healthcare has benefited from a number of technological advancements in recent years, including the development of smart home devices, telehealth services, and wearable health monitors. These tools have made it easier for home healthcare providers to deliver care remotely and have helped to improve patient outcomes explains Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging.
- A need for more effective long-term care: Home healthcare is often seen as a more effective and less expensive alternative to traditional long-term care options, such as nursing homes. This is especially true for patients with chronic conditions that require ongoing care and support.
As the American population continues to age, these factors will become even more apparent, driving doctors to embrace at-home services that offer traditional hospitalization and clinical treatments.
What’s Next for Home Healthcare?
Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging explains that the growth of the home healthcare industry is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by the same factors that have fueled its growth in the past. In addition, the industry will be shaped by a number of emerging trends, including the following:
- An increase in chronic disease: The number of Americans living with chronic diseases is expected to increase in the coming years. This is due in part to the aging population, as well as the rise in obesity and other lifestyle-related health conditions. As a result, home healthcare providers will need to be prepared to meet the needs of this growing population says Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging.
- A focus on preventive care: There is a growing emphasis on preventive care in the healthcare industry. This shift is being driven by the recognition that many chronic diseases can be prevented or managed through lifestyle changes and early intervention. Home healthcare providers will play a key role in delivering preventive care services to patients by emphasizing healthier home habits.
- The rise of artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to make its way into the home healthcare industry. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are being used to provide information and support to patients. In the future, AI may be used to help identify patients at risk for certain conditions and to provide personalized care plans.
- The growth of telehealth: Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging explains that telehealth services are expected to continue to grow in popularity in the coming years. This is due to the many advantages they offer, including convenience, cost savings, and improved access to care. Home healthcare providers that offer telehealth services will be well-positioned to meet the needs of their patients.
According to data from leading consultants, these emerging trends could push as many as a quarter of all Medicaid FFS recipients toward home healthcare over the next 3 years. This would translate to more than $200 billion worth of treatment, making home healthcare the next frontier for the medical industry according to Innocent Onwubiko.
The Bottom Line
Innocent Onwubiko says that tfhe home healthcare industry is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth. This is being driven by the aging population, the rise in chronic diseases, and the increasing popularity of telehealth services. For the industry to succeed, it will need to be prepared to meet the needs of this growing population in the years to come.
