Case Study: The American Association Of Retired Patients

Following retirement, the average elderly American is sustaining themselves on the equivalent of minimum wage or funds from Social Security. Chronic disease is an ongoing pandemic across the world, but as we have seen the cost of medication has been at an all-time high. It is reported that the average elderly adult spends a minimum of 23% of their income on medication alone (Sagon, 2015). Of course, these statistics will vary since America is such a diverse population. Media outlets typically discuss how costs gone up over the years now, but the reality is that many people have no idea exactly how much that cost is. Family members are also having a tough time understanding the costs of treatment for their loved ones because many of the regulations and insurance companies can adjust costs depending on policies that they themselves have put in place. One particular organization keeps track of these costs and exactly how much cost
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) organization, works to facilitate and alleviate some of the troubles the elderly and family members who are victims of hefty bill costs. Some of which include, income management and information about health and social security. Regarding medicine, the AARP have reported that in the last decade, the cost of a single chronic disease medication has risen by over 4000 dollars (AARP, 2015). One thing to consider is that as outstanding as that number might be, much of the elderly population can be suffering from more than one chronic disease. Heart disease being the number one, followed by diabetes, arthritis, and gastrointestinal complications. A $4000 increase times three or $12000 goes towards the cost for medications. Not to mention the cost of living and other basic needs just to maintain life. Many of the elderly depend on social security to help pay for expenses, but the