Chapter 1 The Aging Population

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chapter 1

The Aging Population

Chapter 1

The Aging Population


IntroductionIntroduction

• Myths of aging

• Misinformation as an injustice

• Role of the gerontological nurse:

– Know the facts

– Educate the public


Improvements for Older Adults Improvements for Older Adults

• 1914: Dr. I. L. Nascher—“Father of Geriatrics”— first geriatric textbook

• 1935: Federal Old Age Insurance Law under the Social Security Act

• 1965: formation of the Administration on Aging, Older Americans Act, Medicare, and Medicaid

• Continued growing concern for older adults


Subsets of the Older Adult PopulationSubsets of the Older Adult Population

• Young-old

• Old-old

• Middle-old

• Centenarians

• Diversity rather than homogeneity


Population Growth and Increasing Life Expectancy

Population Growth and Increasing Life Expectancy

• Persons 65+ currently represent more than 12% of the U.S. population

• By the year 2020 older adults will grow to 17% of the population

• Increasing life expectancy:

– 1930: 59.7 years

– 1965: 70.2 years

– Present: 77.8 years


Factors Influencing Increased Life Expectancy

Factors Influencing Increased Life Expectancy

• Advancements in disease control and health technology

• Lower infant and child mortality rates

• Improved sanitation

• Better living conditions


Life Expectancy: Race and GenderLife Expectancy: Race and Gender

• Gap between white people and black people

– Societal issues

– Concern for nurses

• Gap is narrowing between males and females


Marital Status and Living ArrangementsMarital Status and Living Arrangements

• Older women are more likely than men to be married

• Most older adults live with a spouse or other family member

• More women than men live alone

• Potential for living alone increased with age

• Most older adults have family contact


Geographic DistributionGeographic Distribution

• States with the greatest number of older adults: California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania

• States with dramatic increases in the past decade: Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, and Arizona

• States with the lowest percentage of total population over age 65: Alaska, Utah, and Georgia


Income of Older AdultsIncome of Older Adults

• 10% of older adults live below the poverty level

• Older adults dependent on Social Security for more than half of their income

• Median net worth is twice the national average related to home ownership

• “Asset rich and cash poor”

• Women and minority groups are poorer than white men


Employment and the Older Adult PopulationEmployment and the Older Adult Population

• Declining percentage of workers in the labor force

• Men leaving the workforce at an earlier age

• Increase in the number of middle-aged women who are employed

• Increased desire to work at the age of retirement


EducationEducation

• Increasing levels of education in the older adult population

• Advanced degrees and higher income

• Impact on health care:

– Older adults will be more informed consumers


Health Status of Older Adults: Acute Conditions

Health Status of Older Adults: Acute Conditions

• Fewer acute illnesses

• Lower death rates

• Longer period of recovery

• More complications


Health Status of Older Adults: Chronic Conditions

Health Status of Older Adults: Chronic Conditions

• Major problem that increases with age

• Most have at least one chronic disease; many have several

• Result in limitations in ADLs and IADLs

• Leading cause of disability and death


Implications of an Aging PopulationImplications of an Aging Population

• Impact on health and social service agencies

• Need for gerontological nurses

• Future needs

• Payment of services

• Impact and characteristics of the “baby boomers”


Provision and Payment of ServicesProvision and Payment of Services

• Higher rates of hospitalization, surgery, and physician visits

– Paid by federal dollars most often

• Less than 5% of older adults live in a nursing home, assisted living, or other institutions

• Long-term care payment

• Role of the gerontological nurse

Chapter 1 The Aging Population

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