Demographic Trends of an Demographic Trends of an Aging Society Aging Society

Senior CitizensSenior Citizens• What do you think What do you think

of getting older?of getting older?• Why study Why study

gerontology?gerontology?• How will the aging How will the aging

population effect population effect your job?your job?

Baby BoomersBaby Boomers

Demographic Trends Demographic Trends of an Aging Society of an Aging Society

Baby Boom Generation: 1946-1964Baby Boom Generation: 1946-1964• From 1996 on every seven seconds for the From 1996 on every seven seconds for the

next 18 years, one American will turn 50 next 18 years, one American will turn 50 years of ageyears of age

• Since 1990, the population of those older Since 1990, the population of those older than 65 has increased by more than two than 65 has increased by more than two million peoplemillion people

• By the year 2030, the population of those By the year 2030, the population of those over 85 years of age is expected to triple over 85 years of age is expected to triple in sizein size

What does old age imply What does old age imply to you?to you? In the 19th century what we thought In the 19th century what we thought

to be old age, is today middle age.to be old age, is today middle age. Policy makers use the age of 65 in Policy makers use the age of 65 in

establishing policies for the elderly.establishing policies for the elderly. Young-old (65 or older and relatively Young-old (65 or older and relatively

healthy and financially independent) healthy and financially independent) Old-old (75 or older with limited Old-old (75 or older with limited

activity or some type of disability)activity or some type of disability)

French: elder = 65 - 85 and old-old = 85 French: elder = 65 - 85 and old-old = 85 ++

Some biologists believe a person’s Some biologists believe a person’s biological age is more important than the biological age is more important than the person’s chronological age especially person’s chronological age especially when determining health statuswhen determining health status

There are advantages and disadvantages There are advantages and disadvantages to turning 65 years old. Let’s discuss. to turning 65 years old. Let’s discuss.

No right or wrong answersNo right or wrong answers

AdvantagesAdvantages

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Global Aging:Global Aging:

1990 Statistics: China has the 1990 Statistics: China has the largest number of individuals over largest number of individuals over the age of 65, and the United States the age of 65, and the United States has the world’s 2nd largest number.has the world’s 2nd largest number.

By the year 2030, the elder By the year 2030, the elder population in Canada and Japan will population in Canada and Japan will double, and in the United States it double, and in the United States it will increase by 90%. will increase by 90%.

Age and Gender:Age and Gender:

Women live an average of 7 years Women live an average of 7 years longer than men. Reasons? longer than men. Reasons?

1990 life expectancy: female = 1990 life expectancy: female = 79.3, and male = 72.679.3, and male = 72.6

By the year 2020 there will be an By the year 2020 there will be an increase: female = 81.8, male = increase: female = 81.8, male = 74.974.9

Race and Aging:Race and Aging:

The baby boomer generation will The baby boomer generation will be of greater racial and ethnic mix be of greater racial and ethnic mix than any other generation that than any other generation that preceded it. preceded it.

Besides the overall increase in the Besides the overall increase in the number of elders, there will be a number of elders, there will be a more heterogeneous mix of ethnic more heterogeneous mix of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. and cultural backgrounds.

Minority persons older than age 65 Minority persons older than age 65 are growing in numbers at a faster are growing in numbers at a faster rate than their counter parts. rate than their counter parts.

Can you tell me why? Can you tell me why? What does this mean to us as What does this mean to us as

health professionals?health professionals?

Marital Status and Age:Marital Status and Age:

Women outlive men, so more Women outlive men, so more widows than widowers. widows than widowers.

Divorce population of the elderly is Divorce population of the elderly is low, but will increase dramatically low, but will increase dramatically with the aging of the baby boom with the aging of the baby boom generation. generation.

Economic Status:Economic Status:

Elderly sources of income: Elderly sources of income: 40% social security, 21% asset income, 40% social security, 21% asset income,

19% private pensions, 17% earnings, 3% 19% private pensions, 17% earnings, 3% otherother

More varied than in any other age group.More varied than in any other age group. Even though median income is low: they Even though median income is low: they

have greater tax advantages, usually have greater tax advantages, usually mortgage paid off, and usually medicare mortgage paid off, and usually medicare insurance. insurance.

Health of the ElderlyHealth of the Elderly

Health Care:Health Care:

Heart disease, cancer and stroke Heart disease, cancer and stroke account for 7 out of 10 deaths account for 7 out of 10 deaths among those older than 65. among those older than 65.

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for the Alzheimer’s disease accounts for the leading cause of cognitive leading cause of cognitive impairment in the elderly.impairment in the elderly.

The majority of elder persons have The majority of elder persons have at least one chronic health condition.at least one chronic health condition.

In a 1993 health status assessment, In a 1993 health status assessment, 72% of persons 65 and older claimed 72% of persons 65 and older claimed their health was good to excellent.their health was good to excellent.

The elderly see a physician 8 times a The elderly see a physician 8 times a year compared to 3 times for younger year compared to 3 times for younger people.people.

They are hospitalized three times as They are hospitalized three times as often, and stay 50% longer in the often, and stay 50% longer in the hospital. hospital.

Most health care dollars are spent Most health care dollars are spent toward the end of one’s life.toward the end of one’s life.

In 1987, 63% of health care In 1987, 63% of health care expenditures for the elderly came from expenditures for the elderly came from federally funded programs ( medicare, federally funded programs ( medicare, medicaid ).medicaid ).

Estimated that by 2025 nearly 2/3 of Estimated that by 2025 nearly 2/3 of the US health care benefits will be the US health care benefits will be devoted to services for the elderly. devoted to services for the elderly.

Long-Term CareLong-Term Care

In 1988, 6.9 million In 1988, 6.9 million persons 65 and older persons 65 and older required long-term required long-term care. In 2040 it is care. In 2040 it is estimated to be three estimated to be three times higher.times higher.

Elderly who find Elderly who find themselves in long-themselves in long-term care facilities, will term care facilities, will use up their life saving use up their life saving within one year. within one year.

So what does this mean to So what does this mean to us?us?

Home health care is increasing: Home health care is increasing: hospice, visiting nurses, PT, mobile x-hospice, visiting nurses, PT, mobile x-rayray

We will need to become more We will need to become more productive and efficient in the delivery productive and efficient in the delivery of services in alternative settingsof services in alternative settings

AND ,AND , we will need to be cognitive of we will need to be cognitive of the diversity within the elderly the diversity within the elderly population population