Changing Demographic and Health Care
HCS/490
05/27/2013
Professor J. Leff

Changing Demographic and Health Care
In the United States, the aging Baby Boom generation has caused recent concern over the future and the affordability of healthcare; what it cost in more than just money is a dilemma of national proportions. There is a quickly changing generation of ‘boomers’ whom are aging to the next great population of the elderly and retired in the United States; the older they get the more prone these health consumers are to acquiring a health related issue or disorder. Though the cost of health care currently is manageable the reality of the situation lies in the retirement years when employer benefits are no longer an option, and out of pocket, expenses increase due to the high demand of nothing but the best technology and an increasing gap in health providers.
In a 2002 assessment report for the National Tour Association (NTA) a Baby Boomer is defined as anyone born in the twenty years period of 1946 to 1964 (The National Tour Association’s Research & Development Council presents a current assessment report for the Baby Boom Market, 2002); those in the leading edge currently range in the late sixties and those at the trailing edge are currently in their late forties. With all reaching the current retirement in just under a decade and a half the nation is hard pressed to recruit, teach, and train the appropriate amount of health care workers to compensate for the current need and the increased future need. In the year, 2035, one and five Americans are projected to be in retirement. This demographic is only an estimate and in fact the likelihood that the numbers are higher due to unreported amounts of people living in this country illegally.
As this very large demographic age, the increase in health relatable issues and disorders increases. The normal wear and tear on the body begins to catch up to the individual, the years of drinking, smoking, and eating as if there were no tomorrow is taking its toll on the human condition. Obesity, emphysema, and jut normal old age is causing a need for medical interventions to promote healing and longevity. This generation of American lived like ‘fat cats’ through the eighties and nineties without thinking about the ill effects to future health. Unfortunately, the future is the present and body aches and pains are beginning to present it-self. The need is there currently and futuristically it will only become a greater need (The Gerontological Society of America, 2008).
America’s health care shortage has already compromised the availability of sound health care to some areas of the United States. The lack of compensation from insurance providers, including governmental ones has caused a shortage in the amount of individuals perusing health care degrees (Pelletier, 2013). No one wants to work for less than he or she feel he or she is worth; thusly so in health care. Table 1 shows in numbers the worry of those in related fields.
Table 1. Projected Nurse and Physician Shortages by 2025. (As cited by Pelletier, 2013, Positive Futureist).

Caregivers | Year | Shortages | Nurses | 2025 | 500,000 | Primary Care Physicians | 2025 | 46,000 | Surgeons | 2025 | 41,000 | Medical Specialty Physicians | 2025 | 8,000 | Other Specialty Physicians | 2025 | 29,000 | Total Physicians before Reform | | 31,000 | Total Physicians with Reform | 2025 | 155,000 |

In one short decade and a half the shortages increase dramatically for nurses to half a million individuals needed to fill the demanded roles brought about by the aging American population (Pelletier, 2013). One challenge directly related to this is the fact that one too many will be in retirement, with the loss of employer provided health insurance no longer a viable option the out-of-pocket costs to the consumer will have a ‘sticker shock’ effect. Paying for things with no outside help will be a hard ship to those who once enjoyed the fruits of a good health care plan. This could in fact have a residual effect of those in need of health care not receiving it because the cost is too much for the individual to afford (The Gerontological Society of America, 2008).
. The family physician that is at the lower salary end is still expensive, and an aging population will tend to need referrals to specialist.
This is the second obstacle for those whom find themselves in the Baby Boom generation. The money that was acquired and saved over the last third of a century for the golden years of life meant for enjoyment and relaxation may not be used for the intended purpose. In fact, it may be eaten up by family physicians, referrals, and trips to a specialist. As life expectancy increases so too does the probability that, a person will suffer from a cost disease or disorder. The body is much the same as an automobile. It the proper care and conditioning is not done the breakdown is inevitable, and as no vehicle last forever; breakdown is not a question of if but when.
However, with the use of prevention through wellness programs an individual may find the cost less than expected. Simply through the use of keeping the ‘cogs’ well oiled. Healthier eating promotion, smoking cessation, and heart healthy health fairs are offering this generation something they may not have had; knowledge. Those that are educated and informed are more likely to live healthier lives, exercise, and not smoke. This sounds simple enough and the effects can be dramatic.
This type of health promotion keeps obesity related diseases such as diabetes or heart disease on a slower slope. Those who take care of themselves daily through diet and exercise are at a much smaller risk of developing these disorders. This means lower cost of healthcare, fewer trips to doctors and specialists, and gives an overall sense of wellbeing.
The focus for this demographic should lie with prevention, or preventive maintenance. Educating those who have for decades lived indulgent lives on the benefits of the healthy life style, healthier eating, and discontinuing any types of vices that could trigger additional problems such as smoking could have the potential to save this country millions in related health care expenditures. At the very least, it has the potential to save lives and to create a better quality to the ones already had.
Addressing the aforementioned issues will of course take time, and a willingness to change. As a community offering free health screenings to this demographic group may help to find small medical issues before they become large out of control ones. Creating a health cooperative in the community where information, education, and training are found will help to ensure that this is reaching the targeted group of individual. However, this will all mean nothing if the demographic is unwilling to learn, and change.
The next fifteen years this country will see a state to health care that has yet to be seen. A large encompassing shortage to those whom are providing care to a currently aging population. As life expectancy continues to be extended this generation will develop disorders and disease that generally occurs in the elderly. Heart disease, diabetes, joint replacements, and maintenance medications are but a few simple things of what is to come. The education of this demographic is paramount in keeping already rising health care costs down. Prevention, education, and knowledge are the ways of the future.
Reference
The Gerontological Society of America (2008, April 25). Baby Boomer Health Care Crisis. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417111300.htm
(Unknown, 2002, January). The National Tour Association’s Research & Development Council presents a current assessment report for the Baby Boom Market. The National Tour Association, 3(1), 1-21.
Pelletier, D. (2013). Positive Futurist. Retrieved from http://www.positivefuturist.com/archive/51.html