Need quality healthcare at home for diabetes

With the increasing geriatric population and people suffering from diabetes and other chronic disorders, the need for quality healthcare at home will grow in times to come, said experts at a panel discussion organised here by India Home Health Care.

The number of elderly is expected to rise to over 305 million by 2050. Though longevity is laudable as an achievement for a country, one cannot deny that it amounts to considerable social and economic pressures on families that have elderly people, panellists said.

Vijay Vishwanathan, Diabetologist, said in India approximately ₹2 lakh crore is being spent on diabetic care every year. Of this, around 30 per cent is indirect cost, which includes transportation cost and loss of productivity by those who suffer this lifestyle disorder and individuals accompanying them for treatment.

“Though the disease cannot be cured, by availing oneself of a proper healthcare services at home, a substantial portion of the treatment cost can be saved,” he said. For example, he said diabetes is the commonest cause for foot ulcers. People who develop foot ulcers need regular nursing care until it heals. The cost of treating the foot ulcer can be brought down if proper home care is made available to the patients.

Ramnarayan, Neurosurgeon, said patients diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, Alzheimer’ diseases, stroke, head and spinal cord injury need continues medical care. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy given to patients by qualified caretakers in the home environment have produced excellent results.

Also, the goal of disease management is to focus more on preventive care to minimise the incidence of hospitalisation, which will reduce the overall pressure on the healthcare system, said J Mark Baiada, Founder of the US-based Bayada Home Healthcare. The need for home healthcare is growing at a steady pace owing to factors such as time, money and comfort. The use of innovative delivery models and improved medical devices is expected to change the approach to geriatric care and provide a range of solutions for the overall security of the elderly, he added.