title: Marching in a circle.
abstract: Throughout our history, the United States has come to the rescue of many countries under siege from wars, national disasters, and overt poverty. At this time in our history, it is our older adult community that is a facing a threat to its general welfare. A growing older adult population, increasing longevity with accompanying frailty, depleted governmental resources, and minimal Medicare/Medicaid payments to providers necessitates a call to leadership, innovation, and mutual self-interest. Unless appropriate, needs-based, pragmatically funded programs are initiated, our nation will suffer the consequences of ignoring a potential health care problem. Postponing action will be equated to marching in a circle without any direction.
authors.forename: Henry M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Plawecki
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005376:Financial Management; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011788:Quality of Life