The Aging Population Of The Elderly In The United States

In America, people are changing their views on aging and the elderly. Some of the reasons that the attitudes are changing could be due to more elderly people are remaining in the work place longer, as opposed to retiring early. Riffkin (2014). And there is the fact that we baby boomers are living longer. Even though the U.S. only ranks 53rd with a life expectancy of 79. That’s an increase of one year since 2010. (“The World: Life Expectancy” 2016)

Data from the Census Bureau tell us that in 2015, there are around 47.8 million Americans age 65 and older, up from about 25.5 million just 35 years ago; demographers predict that in another 35 years, there will be nearly 88 million Americans in this age group. The rate of growth of the “oldest old” population—those age 85 and older—is even more dramatic: Their numbers currently stand at approximately 6.3 million, but by 2050, that number will have almost tripled, to 18.7 million Americans. This population explosion is unprecedented in history, and the resulting demographic shift is causing profound social and economic changes.

Something that American society has not experienced before is how to handle an aging population that is growing quickly and projected to double by the year 2050. The current growth in the number and proportion of older adults in the United States is unprecedented in our nation’s history. By 2050, it is anticipated that Americans aged 65 or older will number nearly 89 million people, or more than double the number of older adults in the United States in 2010 (The State of Aging and Health in America, 2013). Mirroring the aging of the U.S. population as a whole, the number of self-identified LGBT adults age 65 or older is expected to double by 2030 -- from 1.5 million to 3 million (Dennis, 2014). For a marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community (LGBT), the choice of a health care surrogate to make medical decisions can be very difficult. Issues of discrimination, lack of legal and social support, varying levels of relationship commitment, and complications of disclosure to family and medical professionals (Buckey and Browning, 2013, p.233). The purpose of this research is to address end of life care issues facing the aging LGBT Community which include; issues with advance care planning and surrogate decision-making, issues with a partner and family involvement, and issues with healthcare provider-patient communication.

With the aging society in America means that there will be larger number of older people than young people. As a result of this fewer people will have to pay taxes to support public necessities and there will be fewer young people to provide services for the elders. This will also highly affect the health care in America because many seniors will have a chronic illness and there will be a shortage of healthcare workers to assist them. This will affect retirement because retirement income is made up of welfare payments, savings, and public and private pensions. Most publicly financed retirement pensions are funded by programs or most commonly know, social security. Social security is a universal income support program for elders and is usually

Committee on Aging, United States Senate, 101st Cong. (1990). (Serial No. 101-J). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

The United States is goal orientated; therefore it could be argued that the premise to achieve successful aging is on par with our historical and cultural beliefs. Unlike other cultures or countries America is a ‘melting pot’ without a common philosophy defining the meaning of life or how life should be lived. For example, Traditional Hinduism, Chinese Confucianism, and Japanese Ikigai have cultural mores that provide for the role of aging in their societies (Moddy & Sasser, 2015, p. 36).The common thread for citizens in America is to achieve a better life at all stages. Thus, from cultural context the words are in sync with the American way.

The recent growth in the number of older adults in the United States is unusual in the history of America. The anticipation of the elderly population (65+) by the year 2050 will be almost 89million people, or greater than the population of the elderly in the year 2010 (CDC 2013).

Health care has been an issue for the United States for several years. Universal health care has still not been accomplished, and this means there are many people uninsured across the country who could be seeking medical attention, but cannot afford it. Another problem recently surfaced for the United States. This problem is the aging population. There are many factors that have contributed to the aging population, and they greatly effect health care.

The CDC (2013) defines aging in place as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level” (Healthy places terminology). The idea of aging in place has received growing attention from many entities over the past decade. According to AARP (2014), one in three Americans is now 50 or older, and by 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 and older. Moreover, evidence exists that home evaluation and home modification interventions are effective in promoting home safety, positively influencing task performance, and reducing falls in the older adult population. Regarding health care practitioners and older adults, a variety of major public health problems exist

Older people in modern America are viewed much differently than they once were in the past. Grandparents went from giving every grandchild a very valuable life lesson to being ignored in the streets and at the dinner table. Everyone is so worried about what’s on their phone or tablet that they do not realize how little attention this generation of elders is receiving. Could the recent upgrade in technology be the result of modern America’s neglect towards elders or is it how little people care?

Dr. Murray works at Harvard for the School of Public Health and also studies the aging in the United States and their factors. His research has found that Asian American women who live in New Jersey live long then Native American men living in South Dakota because of Chronic Disease. Chronic disease is a long-lasting condition for human health that can for a lifetime. Chronic Disease is found in young and middle age men that have used tobacco or alcohol and have high blood pressure, low fruit and vegetable intake, and aren’t physical active. Wealthy people live longer than people in poverty because of their sources and health care they are provided with. Below median income Caucasian American living in rural area such as Minnesota, Iowa, North

Gerontology is important to study due to the aging population of the United States and more specifically in the state of Maine. In the United States the life expectancy continues to rise where according to U.S. Census Bureau by 2020 "life expectancy in the U.S. will be 77.1 years for men and 81.9 years for women" (2014). This is changing how the work force as well as different health care professions that are working with the aging population. It is important to continue to study this population and the best ways to help them be healthy and happy as they age. When I hear geriatrics, I just think of older people. The residents at the nursing home I work at also come to mind.

Elderly people are very delicate, therefore they can only commit to a limited amount of labor. Applying people over the age of sixty five to Military type activities would be unbeneficial to our country. Once you get to a page in your life your body starts to wear and tear, therefore it would be hard for the elderly to do anything in the army. Senior’s in general deserve rest, that they have earned through a long, hard fifty-five years of life. Therefore elderly people should not have to serve our country any longer.

From 1970 to the year 2000, the world's over-60 population is projected to increase by more than 90 percent" . This is an astonishing number, seeming how the total population was predicted to grow by less than 75 percent . "The most prominent feature of the looming shift in the composition of the working-age population is, of course, its increasing age" . It is hard to say what will happen when suddenly there will be an abundance of older people who are preparing to retire.

The world’s population is ageing rapidly. Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world's older adults is estimated to double from about 11% to 22%. In absolute terms, this is an expected increase from 605 million to 2 billion people over the age of 60.