Dr. Kevin Haselhorst is urging boomers to have a plan in order to maintain their quality of life.
The Path To Strategic Aging.
Every day 10,000 baby boomers turn 65. In the next 25 years, the U.S. elderly population will grow by nearly 80% and hospital visits are projected to double. Surely, urgent situations may arise, but, according to ER doctor Kevin Haselhorst, Americans are making too many Emergency Department visits.
As an emergency room physician with over 30 years experience, Dr. Haselhorst has seen patients at every stage of life and death and knows ER visits and hospitalizations can have severe consequences.
“Understanding one’s illness and having a plan can help us avoid getting “too much” care,” says Dr. Haselhorst. “We all get some kind of medical condition as we age, but what we want is quality of life. Not every headache needs a CT scan.”
Dr. Haselhorst empowers patients by teaching them to age strategically. The three-part plan involves identifying the goals to care, controlling the symptoms, and caring for the whole person.
“Strategic aging is a concept that means taking control of your health plan and choosing the options best for you. It empowers patients to make smarter choices in the care they receive…”
…says Dr. Haselhorst who adheres to a holistic approach of care that focuses on improving quality of life and comfort. If a disease can’t be cured, the goal is to eliminate pain and manage symptoms. He speaks to caregiver support groups, healthcare professionals, and spiritual communities about advance care planning and teaches physicians, nurses, paramedics, social workers, and public health agencies about triaging patients to the times to live {never quit} – to survive {lighten up} – and to die {rest easy}.
“Understanding one’s illness and having a plan can help us avoid getting “too much” care. We all get some kind of medical condition as we age, but what we want is quality of life. Not every headache needs a CT scan.”
– Dr. Kevin Haselhorst
In An Interview/Article, Dr. Haselhorst Can Share:
- 3 part plan for strategic aging
- What medical choices can impact the quality of life
- How to decide if 911 is needed
- What patients need to know about their health care rights
Dr. Haselhorst is on a mission to help empower patients and improve their quality of life. He has information and advice on how seniors can age strategically.
ABOUT THE EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN & AUTHOR
Dr. Kevin Haselhorst
Emergency physician, Kevin Haselhorst, MD, an expert on advance care planning, speaks to patients, family members and healthcare providers about advance directives, palliative care and dying with dignity. He’s the author of Wishes To Die For, Is Palliative Care Right for YOU?, and the forthcoming The 4 Seasons to Caregiving.
Dr. Haselhorst practices at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus. He is a contributing writer for the Arizona Republic’s Ask the Expert Column, publishes Dr. H’s Clipboard: twice-a-month e-tips for advance care planning. He moderates DrH4Caregivers: Support groups on Facebook and LinkedIn where caregivers and healthcare professionals share concerns, post articles and offer support.