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Aging Population and Demographics

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Aging Population and Demographics
Marcia Myers
HCS490
July 19, 2012
Kevin Branyan
University of Phoenix

Aging Population and Demographics

“One out of every nine Americans is ‘old’ ” ("Transgenerational Design Matters", n.d.). How do Americans define the term ‘old’? Most data tells us that Americans are living to be older, 78.2 is the magical number for life expectancy of Americans. Some of the data reports age 50 as the determining number. “America’s 50 and older population is predicted to be 100 million by the year 2012, one in five people will be in the 65 or older age group by 2035” ("Transgenerational Design Matters", n.d.). Growing numbers among the aging population means growing dollars in health care. The aging population will have more needs and require more services as they progress into the retirement age.
This paper will discuss changes in the demographics of the aging population, the affects they have on health care, and the health care market. The paper will also identify two-key health care-related challenges to the aging population, the marketing needs and services of the aging population, and how a chronic disease wellness program may affect the costs for this population. It will also mention ideas on how the patient, community, and society as a whole can address these challenges. The aging population of the United States includes the 79 million Baby Boomers reaching retirement age (Haag, 2003). Most of them keeping up with technology and doing everything they can to remain active as they approach their retirement years. Their needs regarding health care services will increase after retirement. Many are not willing to settle for a permanent home in the nearest nursing home and will choose a retirement community instead, for some an assisted living arrangement will be called ‘home’. For those who have been stricken

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