For everything there is a season, at time to be born and a time to die; and within these seasons times change and people age. Aging is something that happens to everyone, no one is immune. As you age there are different years that stand out as turning points. One of those turning points is the age of 65, when you are described as a senior. As people continue to live longer and as the quality of life increases and change over time; health services to senior have also increased and changed.

Over the years there have been many changes, one of those changes has been in the quality of life of seniors. More and more seniors are living fuller lives than before. In 1900 there were approximately 3 million people over the age if 65 years of age to 35 million in the year of 2000. (Older) That is nothing compared to the people 85 years old grew from 100,000 to 4.2 million in 2000. (Older) Out of that 35million people 73% list there health as good to excellent. (Older) Today seniors are traveling and living fuller lives. Some seniors see there retirement time as a time to start enjoying life and doing things that they were unable to do while they worked or raised a family.

It is not just total number of seniors that has changes there quality of life; but another factor is the change in life expectancy. In the 1900’s the life expectancy was 47 years of age that has changed to be an average of 79 years in 1999. (Aging) All of these factors have help seniors to increase the quality of life; seniors are no longer working until death. Today’s Seniors are retiring, traveling, taken classes, working part time, raising kids; doing exactly what they want and enjoying life.

Taken into consideration the changes in life expectancy and the number of seniors it is not surprising that the lifestyles of seniors have changed. Seniors today have to take into consideration things that seniors of the past never had to think about. One of the biggest concerns is money. Seniors of the past worked until they could no longer work, they were either dead or put in nursing home. Today’s seniors have to consider that they might live 20 years after they retire. Then they have to think about income during there retirement. My grandmother is fond of say “Never thought about money when I got old never thought I would live this long.” (Cusson) Social Security makes up about 38% of seniors total income today. (Aging) Change in senior’s quality of life is the biggest factor when it comes to health care for the elderly.

Health Services have changed so much over the years and one of the biggest groups affected is seniors. Seniors today have many options when it comes to health services. Health services today no longer are described as just going to the doctor’s office or the hospital. There are many different avenues to receive health services today you have home health, nursing homes, boarding homes, retirement (senior) complexes, they even have options for adult day care, then you have the places everyone thinks of doctors offices and hospitals are the most common avenues to receive health services today. Each of the above living establishment offer different services and are setup to help different types of seniors.

One option that has grown in recent years is home health services. This option is mainly for seniors that need help to receive be able to receive it while staying in there own home. This is important considering that about 8 of every 10 older men and 6 of every 10 older women live in family settings—with a husband, wife, or other family members. Less than 5 percent of people over age 65 live in nursing homes. (Kolsky 6, 17) So it is important for people to be able to receive health services while staying at home. Today this option covers a wide range of services including: Homemakers, Personal Care Attendants, Certified Nurses Aide, Nurses, Physical Therapist, and Occupational Therapist are just some of the people that work to help seniors in their own homes.

Some seniors live at home just not there homes, but homes of loved ones and relatives. If this is the case, usually someone is home with the senior most of the time, but what happens to seniors that can not be left on there own do to wandering or other unsafe practices when the family member is act work. A lot of communities now have what is known as adult day care. These programs allow family members to work without having to worry about loved ones. The services provided usually run the same as other day cares are run. They have activities, supply meals, some have options to take people to doctors or help with showers. It gives the senior someplace safe to go, and relate with other. Not all seniors want to stay at home or live with relatives some seniors have chosen to move into retirement (senior) communities.

Retirement/Senior Communities are set up mainly for independent living. These communities are usually described as apartments; sizes vary depending on the community. The biggest difference between this and a regular apartment complex is the fact that these communities are geared to making seniors lives full and easier. They usually offer different types of amenities right on the grounds like banking, beauty salons, pools, saunas, tennis courts, walking paths, gyms, exercise classes, computer rooms, laundry mat or laundry service, central dining hall, or room service. They usually offer a shuttle service to go shopping or just to get out and might offer arts and crafts classes, or other classes and social events. The biggest benefit is socialization and seniors having the opportunity to talk and enjoy the company of other seniors. Unfortunately, not all seniors have the option of living in retirement (senior) communities, some seniors might need help, but are not ill or incapacitated that is why some move into boarding homes.

Boarding homes are not as popular as they once were, do to all the home care options available for seniors today. Boarding homes are usually set up a lot like dorms for college students. You have a central meeting area, central lunch area, and each person either has there own room or share a room with one other person. Cleaning and cooking are usually left to the staff and they also help seniors by making sure that medications are taken on time. Most seniors in boarding homes need a little to no help with daily activities, including showers, dressing, eating, and shopping. If senior needs more help and can not take care of there own needs or are incapacitated they are usually moved into a nursing home.