Unoccupied Beds: Struggles in Elder Care Hospitals
Not every nursing home bed can be filled. - Not every available hospital bed for the elderly remains unfilled.
In the healthcare arena, elderly patients are confronting staff shortages, a concern echoed by doctors across the board. Hospitals in cities like Erfurt and Jena are battling the conundrum of empty beds in geriatric units. Dr. Kristin Häsler-Ouart, Senior Physician at the University Hospital Jena's geriatrics clinic, summed it up perfectly: "If there's no one caring for the patients, geriatrics has no chance."
Jena's geriatric clinic underutilization
At present, just over half of the 40 beds at Jena's geriatrics clinic are occupied, according to Dr. Häsler-Ouart. Staffing scarcity isn't the sole culprit of this predicament. The underutilization of beds also arises due to inadequate physiotherapy and occupational therapy resources. It does little good for patients to languish in hospital beds without having access to necessary therapy during their stay.
Similar scenarios surfaced in other Thuringian hospitals, with Dr. Viktor Ruzicka, Chief Physician of Rudolstadt's "Georgius Agricola" clinic's geriatrics clinic, sharing that typically, only around 58–59 out of the 75 beds are occupied, owing to staff shortages. "Things are slowly improving," Dr. Ruzicka said optimistically.
Deteriorating conditions on the horizon
Despite these glimmers of hope, concerns loom large regarding the long-term outlook for geriatric care. By 2035, approximately half of the current geriatricians are due for retirement. Meanwhile, the need for geriatric care is projected to escalate considerably, risking a further squeeze on the already strained healthcare system.
*- Erfurt- Staff shortages- Jena- Universities Hospital Jena
Insights:
The rising strain on the healthcare system due to demographic aging and the COVID-19 pandemic has led to staffing shortages in geriatric care, particularly affecting hospitals in Erfurt and Jena. Solutions may involve strengthening incentives for healthcare professionals to specialize in geriatrics, enhancing working conditions, utilizing digital health technologies, and implementing supportive government policies.
- A community policy focus on attracting more healthcare professionals to specialize in geriatrics could help address staff shortages in elder care hospitals.
- Vocational training programs targeted at healthcare professionals might encourage more individuals to pursue careers in geriatrics, easing the current strain on healthcare systems.
- Vocational training in workplace-wellness and dealing with medical-conditions such as chronic diseases, cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive-health issues, eye-health, hearing problems, and neurological disorders is essential for geriatric care.
- The implementation of fitness-and-exercise programs and mental-health support in these vocational training programs could improve the overall care provided to elderly patients.
- Therapies-and-treatments for autoimmune disorders, skin-conditions, and other health-and-wellness issues must be integrated into vocational training to ensure comprehensive geriatric care.
- Nutrition education and support should also be included in vocational training for geriatric care providers to address proper diet for managing various health issues in older adults.
- Rising concerns regarding aging population and its impact on geriatric care highlight the need to create a supportive government policy for elderly care hospitals, particularly in cities like Erfurt and Jena.
- Strengthening incentives for healthcare professionals to work in geriatrics, improving working conditions, and utilizing digital health technologies could mitigate the effects of staff shortages.
- As more geriatricians retire by 2035, a surge in the demand for geriatric care will pose additional challenges to the already strained healthcare system.
- Medicsare policies designed to support elder care hospitals could help finance necessary resources, including staff salaries, equipment, and therapies-and-treatments.
- Addressing parenting needs and the unique health concerns of men and women, including mens-health and womens-health issues, are crucial components of comprehensive geriatric care.
- Concerted efforts in vocational training, government policies, and healthcare system improvements are vital to ensure the wellbeing of elderly patients, allowing them to maintain their health and independence for longer.
