Aging Demographics for Alaska
HCA 490
University of Phoenix

Aging Demographics for Alaska Established in 1959, Alaska became the 49th and largest state in America. Throughout the past 53 years, Alaska has developed ever changing demographics in regards to the population of age, health, race, gender, education, and employment. From top employers in Alaska such as Providence Health and Services all the way to the male female ratio, the aging generation is integrated in all demographics and is the one demographic that is not limited to other demographics. The aging population affects all races, genders, health, education, and employment.
Aging Demographic Demographics are the result of statistics from data retrieved over a certain population that provide information on age, gender, race, education, employment, and income. The demographic range stretches from the categories of global, national, state, county, city, to town jurisdiction. The aging demographic in Alaska is categorized as state. Demographics can stay the same for decades and can change very rapidly. With this constant there are a number of concerns that arise along with this change. There is a large concern regarding the prices in health care based on the nation’s economy and the imminent change of national demographics. The state demographics within Alaska are impacted by this through the costs of health care and now more so than ever with the change of local demographics of aging adults. The general impact of fluxuating demographics on health care can be summed up with a general idea, however, the general impact does not always apply to all regions and therefore an unwanted result should be prepared for financially. In general, when a demographic changes, and in this case with the aging population, the health care industry must be able to accommodate the change based on need and necessity. This requires changes to state funding for Medicaid and Medicare, the opening of medical facilities, and the ability to create new job positions needed for the care of a specific demographic. Currently, 7.9% of Alaskans are between the ages of 50-54 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). There are more humans aged 50-to 54 than there are of any age in this state. The second highest populations in regards to age are 20 to 24 year olds at 7.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). In the following decade, the highest population in Alaska being the elderly will be considered the aging population in need of specific health care. This creates a new perspective for those wondering what this will mean for health care in the following ten years.
Effects of Changing Demographics The effects of the change in demographics need to be considered concerning the health care realm. The aging demographic shows that only 5.1% of Alaskans are the age of 60 to 64 and further that there is only 3.1% of Alaskans who are between the ages of 65 to 69 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). When the demographics change, the median age with the highest population will now become what is now the current aging population. Within the next decade, a new and dense population of aging adults will begin to need medical assistance and treatment that caters to the needs of this new population. Health care will be affected with new patient load, the need for more room to practice, and the increased need for medical staff specialized in geriatric medicine. Simply put, the health care economy will need to increase focus on geriatrics within the following ten years due to the change in demographics.

Health Care-Related Challenges For those that will fall into this new category of demographics, there will too be new challenges this population may have to battle. For instance, it is common knowledge that the aging have increased premiums and co-pays the older they become. This is due to the medical needs for this demographic. The health of the aging suddenly is seen as a risk to health care coverage providers. For the aging, this can become a new challenge emotionally and mentally. For others a key health-care related challenge may derive from actual aging complications, causing the new need to be cared for at home.
Costs due to Chronic Disease Wellness Program The costs of health care for aging adults will be drastically lowered if a chronic disease wellness center or program were to open in the larger cities of Alaska. In Alaska, it is common for the village people and those who live in the more rural parts of Alaska to come visit the larger cities once or twice a year at a minimum. Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Kodiak, and Juneau are the more common places to receive medical care within state. Anchorage, Alaska is the only place where exceptional medical care is specialized in meeting the diverse needs of all Alaskan demographics. Providence Hospital in Anchorage specializes in Behavioral Health, Cancer Services, Children’s Services, Heart & Vascular Services, Imaging Services, Orthopedic Services, Women’s Services, Hospice Services, Palliative Care, and Physical Therapy Services (Providence Health & Services, 2012). The need for a wellness program that is geared towards the aging population is increasing. The locations they are needed is pivotal to the lowering of costs for the aging patient. In general this program teaches and educates the aging population, provides medical training on fall prevention, nutrition and diet, and provides screenings and referrals for depression (AOA, 2012). With this education available in numerous locations, Aging Alaskans can have a chance at lowering their doctor visits and stay healthy longer which allows them to see their physician less often.
Marketing Needs Based on Demographics The current demographics raise alarm to the near future needs of the next generation population of the aging. The following is a brief description regarding the medical needs of this population: Older Americans are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease, as well as by disabilities that result from injuries such as falls. More than one-third of adults 65 or older fall each year. Twenty-one percent of the population age 60 and older – 10.3 million people – have diabetes. Seven of every 10 Americans who die each year, or more than 1.7 million people, die of a chronic disease. The need for programs that enable older adults to learn and practice healthy behaviors is critical. (AOA, 2012) Medications, treatments, and other health care services that are specific for the aging population can be easily marketed through media, information centers, clinics, and medical practice locations. Marketing is vital because of the data presented for this demographic means that this population will need the resources, information, and services. Attaining these tools can be a challenge if the patient lives in rural areas, has limited transportation, is being cared for at home, or is unable to comprehend the marketing.
Addressing Challenges The patient, the community, and the society working together will help tackle the challenges that the aging population face. Different programs that are available through the state and community coming together will help promote safe transportation, resources, and ways to inform the patients about their health and options.
Conclusion
In the state of Alaska, the aging population is a demographic that is changing. In less than a decade the state will have the highest record of geriatrics. This alarming information will allow the medical and health care industry prepare for what is needed most for the newest edition of patients, in years to come. More jobs will be needed based on the health care demand. Further, federal funding and other financial resources can now start the process of preparation for the demographic change that is to come. Fortunately, there is time before this change occurs and will allow time for the growth in supply to treat the demand.

References
AOA (2012). Administration on Aging: Health, Prevention, and Wellness Program. Retrieved from http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/Evidence_Based/index.aspx
Providence Health & Services (2012). Alaska: Providence Services in Alaska. Retrieved from http://alaska.providence.org/services/Pages/default.aspx?Type=Orthopedics
U.S. Census Bureau (2010). Fact Finder: 2010 Demographic Profile Data. Retrieved from http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk