Posted on December 30, 2009 - by Nurse Virginia

People 65 and Older Fastest Growing Segment of Population not only in the U.S. but around the World

Elderly population literally exploding around the world

This year 2010 is the year of a U.S. census. What we already know is that our elderly population is growing by leaps and bounds. That people 65 and older are the fastest growing segment of our population.  However looking beyond our borders, we see this is a world wide reality. China now has over 106 million people 65 and older. India has reported almost 60 million people 65 and older. The U.S. now has close to 39 million people 65 and over. And we soon will start to welcome the baby boomers into this ever expanding segment of the world population.

Fastest growing portion of aging population are those over 80 years

The fastest growing portion of the U.S. population over 65, is persons 85 and older. Recent reports indicate that while life expectancy is increasing due to improved health care. It is also true that it is more costly to care for the elderly. Because the costs will be coming from diseases associated with aging like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer the need for education focusing on prevention will be critical.

Elderly when 85 years have a 47% chance of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is largely a disease of the elderly. Some individuals do have signs of Alzheimer’s disease at a very young age, do to genetic causes. This however is a small portion of the population afflicted with this form of dementia. The much larger percentage is made up of the elderly population 85 and older.

The coming need for care giving information

Education for families on caring for their elderly and increasing social support options will be needed.   Elders will need to make their wishes known to their families. My mother now living in a nursing community always told us she would not live with one of her children. We heard her, but never really questioned why she felt so strongly. But true to her word, when she had her most debilitating stroke, she continued to maintain that living with one of her children would not be an option.

Please see also under “Aging”:

• No Nursing Home for Baby Boomer Nurses   (April 22, 2009)
• Why Blog? When we have a “Silver Tsunami” coming at us and more family members are becoming caregiver, why not blog?  (April 27, 2009)

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire Illinois