The graying of America isn't a new story; it has been with us for years. In 2000 older adults comprised close to 13% of the U.S. population. By the year 2030, when the last of the baby boomers reaches 65 years of age, the older adult population will nearly double and will represent one-fifth of all Americans. (1)
The older adult demographic is only part of the picture. Equally noteworthy are data recently presented by the University of Illinois, School of Nursing (2) that call attention to the shrinking numbers of the workforce of the future, those age 18 to 64. Between 2000 and 2030 the ratio of potential workers (age 18 to 64) to older adults (ages 65 and over) dramatically decreases from 4.8 to1 to a surprising 2.8 to 1.
The implication of this demographic on the viability of social security and Medicare is clear; there will fewer workers to financially support critical retiree programs. A second and equally serious implication is whether there will be a health care workforce sufficiently large enough to care for the elderly of the future. This month's message focuses on the long-term care needs of the aging population, the settings in which this care is provided and the challenges they suggest for the health care workforce.