Make Your Health a Priority as You Get Older
According to the latest US Census, the current growth in the number and proportion of older adults in the United States is unprecedented in our nation’s history. The rapid aging of our population is driven by two realities:
- Americans are living longer lives than in previous decades; many are now living into their seventies, eighties, and beyond.
- Given the post-World War II baby boom, there are proportionately more older adults than in previous generations.
Nearly 40 percent of the hospital patients for whom Lakeland cares are aged 65 or older. Lakeland has a special commitment to caring for these members of our community and is now one of only 500 hospitals in the United States designated as a NICHE facility systemwide. NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) is the only national designation indicating a hospital’s commitment to elder care excellence.
The NICHE program methods are designed to improve geriatric patient outcomes as well as satisfaction levels among patients and their families. Learn more about NICHE here.
As your age increases, so does your risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases and conditions. It’s more important than ever to receive regular medical care.
The good news is that it’s never too late to take steps to reduce your risk and enjoy a higher quality of life. Be sure you have a primary care provider, also called a general practitioner, to serve as the “home base” for your medical care. Your primary care provider can send you to specialists if needed, and collect all your information in one place for future reference. Search for a provider below, or call the Lakeland HealthLine at 800-303-8399