Making choices guide
Financial resources involve the ability of an individual to cater for their social, economic and health needs and determine their access to various amenities. A person financial resource is also related to their ability to access health insurance policies which would assist them in obtaining the required health care (National Research Council, 2010). The affluent people are able to choose living in environments that are health and where accessibility to quality health care is ensured especially in private health care facilities with personalized services. In such areas, the financial stable families, individuals and even the aging people can easily access the services of health care professionals and facilities, hence their choice of this residence. In addition, the individuals, couples or families with sufficient financial resources are empowered economically to choose residential places that are clean with efficient waste disposal programs, effective sewerage systems and with minimal pollutions. This means that such individuals will rare by exposed to contagious diseases and are able to observe their nutrition (National Research Council, 2010). Since their can easily pay for insurance policies, their medical costs are majorly catered for so that they are able to obtain the best health care services. However, those people with little financial resources are limited on the choice of their living environments. The poor can only afford to live in poor neighborhoods whose environment is generally unhygienic comparative to the affluent suburbs. Such an environment mostly has poor conditions in terms of cleanliness, social amenities and especially good health care facilities. Few people can afford insurance policies which further make the situation worse. The people have few choices on their living environment since they are forced to live in low priced houses that they can afford (Ball, 2004).
Traditions, cultural beliefs and religion influences determine people’s social lives and social relations. Family, friends and the community and the experiences acquired by a person why associating with them affects how their choices for residential locations. People would like to live in environments where social and religious values are upheld and where they feel that their living standards are improved by their association with others (National Research Council, 2010). Culture plays an important role in every aspect of human behavior, preferences and even cognition. Culture is therefore, an inescapable aspect of all human phenomena, including their choices for the environment in which they want to live. Lifestyles and different activities in human life are determined by the culture in which people life and associate with. Traditions involve activities or rituals that are generally held by people of the same community and which brings them together. People will choose to live in areas where their culture is appreciated and where they can freely carry perform their rituals. Environments that threaten to dismantle people’s way of life are frowned upon and thus people will prefer living in places where no threat to their traditions and culture is. Religion is also an important aspect of human life and it’s central to the way they relate to others (National Research Council, 2010). A religion establishes values and principles under which people should live and guides the association with others in the society. An environment where people are allowed to hold their religious beliefs and exercise their religious practices will be preferable. In addition, people will rarely live in areas where their religious freedom is threatened and opt for an environment that encourages their religion to thrive.
These variables are important to for both individuals and couples since they need the support of others in their health care. This is especially true for the elderly people who need supports of their families while they are undergoing tough periods due to poor health. In addition, couples need to be in environment that encourages social support and eve offer support to their children when assistance is needed. Those people with substantial financial resources should consider the environments that will allow them to access the best health care services they can afford, or where insurances policies can largely cover their medical costs (Ball, 2004). Moreover, the couples should consider the environment in which their families can easily access the best health care facilities and where care givers are willing to access. People with few financial resources are more likely to depend on public health care services or other community based programs that cater for their needs. Government insurance programs such as Medicaid are very important to members from low income families and an environment where costs for nursing and health care facilities are catered for the public should be of interest to low them. In addition, a healthy environment is important in promoting good health and hygiene, and this means that individuals and families have to consider the living conditions in their choice (Ball, 2004). Moreover, families should consider the variables when making decisions that involves another individual. When taking care of sick family members it is important to get the services such as from legal advisor who will offer recommendation in medial issues encountered by their loved ones (Meiner, 2014). For instances, Medicaid may provide exemptions for such people.
Health care providers should consider the financial resources and insurance resources available to a patient when making decisions that will affect them. To some individuals or spouses seeking health care services, enough financial resources may be available to them, so that payment of related costs is not a problem. Moreover, in case of Medicaid programs, individual assets for every spouse may extend past the set cost limits based in Spousal Impoverished Law (Ball et al. 2004). Such law makes sure that housing and supportive services are available for the elderly adults. It is important for caregivers to deal with the required formalities, while resources and income that can ensure a spouse is cared for at home should also be considered. In addition, cultural, traditional and religious aspects involving the patients should be of great importance to the caregiver. The aforesaid rituals and customs can be cultural or religious and in most cases, they are personally defined. They provide ways for people to connect with others and with any framework that may offer meaning to their lives (Ball, 2004). Studies have shown that some practices like social religiosity, prayer and meditation positively affect some specific mental and health indicators (Meiner, 2014). This means that they can directly promote the wellbeing of a person and their quality of life by influencing the perceptions, hope, stress and relaxation. It is, therefore, crucial for health care givers to pay attention to the importance of these rituals to families and patient .This is also calls for respect if such practices and offering any support required whenever possible.
References
Meiner, S. E. (2014). Gerontologic Nursing - E-Book. 132-135
National Research Council. (2010). The role of human factors in home health care: Workshop summary. National Academies Press. 247-275
Ball, M. M., Perkins, M. M., Whittington, F. J., Connell, B. R., Hollingsworth, C., King, S. V., ... & Combs, B. L. (2004). Managing decline in assisted living: The key to aging in place. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 59(4), S202-S212.
