History of the Care Profession

31st BC (3100 BC to 3001 BC) -15th Century
Historically speaking, medical oversight was primarily focused in reactive care mode; treatment was rendered based on symptoms without much thought to taking preventative measures for the individual’s future health. The middle ages brought about explanations that the medical phenomenon was connected to spirituality and religious belief systems. Preceding modern medicine, most of the care regimens provided to patients were focused on either external symptoms, or a spiritual or magical basis.

16th-19th Century
The 16th through the 19th century brought about a period of heavy scientific discovery, leading to the transition of supernatural explanations to natural explanations for disease and illness. People began to see illness as something that could eventually be eradicated, and saw health as a natural state of the body that should be maintained and protected, further stepping away from traditional notions of supernatural explanations or divine punishment.

1930s – 1960s
The 1930s marked the entry of clinically driven” care plans” into focus for nursing professionals. When the length of hospital stays increased, there was time due to the length of stays to implement written plans. (Nursing team leads would often use care plans as a guide for the less-educated members of the team). The increasing demand for individual whole wellness led to the need to provide meaningful events to fill the residents’ days. Since the federal regulations did not specify the educational requirements, some facilities employed nurse aides, housekeepers or persons from the community who demonstrated leadership abilities through scouting, a parent or an educator and church volunteers. The next Congressional action culminated in the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. A new Bill was introduced in the House on March 24, 1965, which established an insurance program for persons 65 and older: Title XVIII–Medicare.

1970s – 1980s
The emergence of “life care planning” involved many industry professionals during this time. The converging principles of the fields of “Experimental Analysis of Behavior” (EAB), development psychology, and case management established “life care planning” factors: a summative statement, communication tool, preventative planning, basic components, individualized plans, and needs come first ideology. In the 1980s and the following decades; “life care planners” were involved in consultations with insurance carriers and also with attorneys involved in litigation. “Life care planning” played a large initial role in the field of litigation. It has since expanded into elder care, chronic illness and discharge planning. It has also expanded the number and types of professions who can each be involved in a part of care planning which includes the contributions of the current day Activity Professional.

2000s – Current Day
The extent of professionals and care providers expanded with individual cases coming from rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation nursing, physiatrist, and case management professions. Hence this movement led to the formation of IDT, an Interdisciplinary Team concept which supports the residents whole wellness care coordination efforts. The “body of knowledge” study topics for these healthcare professionals are in-depth. Curriculum is comprehensive and includes but is not limited to regulations, management/personnel, legal and ethical issues to human development, spirituality, biology, sociology and psychology of the aging and the education links the undeniable connection between clinical and emotional management to improve well being. Published studies continue to substantiate that better emotional health significantly contributes to internal positivity and thus, improves the individuals overall health.