Free Essay

Demographics – Impact of the Aging Population

In:

Submitted By rustykeys
Words 1345
Pages 6
Demographics – Impact of the Aging Population

Your Name Here

University of Phoenix

HCS/490 Health Care Consumer – Trends and Marketing

Demographics

Demographics is the study of the population as it pertains to particular geographic areas concerning age, sex, race, income, disability, and a host of other determining factors. Demographics of a population can be obtained through various means, the of the most reliable is that obtained through the government census. As instructed in Article 1, section 2 of the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution requires a census of the population every 10 years. The purpose of this is to obtain a correct count of the population for determining the number of representatives for each state to seat in Congress.

The government also uses the collected information and breaks the demographics down according to state, counties, cities and towns for a true picture of the population of these areas. With this being known, the government uses this information for the distribution of monies for the various demographic needs of the population. Each individual of every age, sex, race, income, and disability has different needs, and as a result affects each geographic location differently.

The Demographics of Monroe County, Michigan

Monroe County, Michigan has a population of 152,949 as of the 2008 population estimate (U.S. Census). This reflects an estimated population increase of 4.8% from the 2000 census. This increase is due in part from persons moving south out of Detroit, Michigan and those moving north from Toledo, Ohio. Monroe County has a predominantely-white population of 95.3%, black persons 2.4%, with the remaining percentages divided between the other races (U.S. Census). Number of people living below the national poverty level as of 2008 according to the U.S. Census is 10.4%. Persons who fall in the category of 65 or older consist of 12.5% of the population (U.S. Census).

Significant changes in population are anticipated between 1990 through 2035 for those ages 65 or older are expected to increase. According to the Monroe County Comprehensive plan, the population of aged residents, which were 65 and older in 1990, was 10.3%. By 2035 and because of increasing population in Monroe County it is expected that the population of aged individuals age 65 older will increase by 27,000 persons or an increase of 23.6%. The growth in this age group will have a significant change in the demographics of the population in all aspects including healthcare (MCPC).

Impact of the Aging Population

1946 saw the beginning of the most populous growth in the United States. World War II just ended, soldiers were coming home getting married, starting families, and re-entering the workforce. More than 78 million babies, known as the baby boomers, were born between 1946 and 1964. In 2008 this generation began joining retirement and drawing Social Security benefits. Because of the large numbers of Americans beginning to retire, it will begin to place a dramatic burden on Social Security and the healthcare system of the United States. “Many health professionals will retire about the same time that demand for their services is increasing” (DHS). With the U.S. already experiencing a shortage in nursing, and healthcare professionals beginning to retire, there is a disproportionate number of younger individuals, which desperately need to be attracted to replace those retiring, and an increase is needed to care for an increasing elderly population. At present, physicians spend approximately 32% of their time treating elderly patients. That is expected to increase to 39% by 2020 (DHS). The retiring population will increase faster than those entering the workforce. The number of elderly considered 65 and over, will increase 50% by 2020 and 127% by 2050. By 2050 “one in five Americans will be elderly” (DHS).

The oldest elderly, those considered to be 75 and older, is the most rapidly growing demographic group.

“In 2000, there were approximately 16.6 million people age 75 and over, 9.2 million people age 80 and over, and 4.2 million people age 85 and over. By 2020, the number of people in these age groups could reach 22 million, 13 million, and 7 million, respectively” (DHS).

This group of individuals will have higher healthcare utilization rates than any other groups in America.

Medical cost are increasing, therefore there is an increasing need to control expenditures. The aging population will be placing increasing demands on health insurance and Medicaid and Medicare. As the number of people retiring continues over the next 20 years, “

one countervailing trend is that tomorrow’s elderly might have lower disability rates than today’s elderly, controlling for age, because of improvements in economic resources, education levels, lifestyle, public health, and medical technology” (DHS). Declining disability rates have reduced demands on nursing home care. Although this is a good scenario, the elderly have different medical needs compared to those non-elderly. Therefore, there will be a need for those that specialize in medical needs required by the elderly. Although nursing home demands may be decreasing, community-based and home care needs will increase because more elderly are opting for this type of care.

Paying for Long Term Care

Who will be providing the elderly their healthcare needs? At present, the elderly receive Medicare, Medicaid, although some continue to pay for private insurers and their own out-of-pocket expenses. Because the demographics of the elderly are changing, so will the way the elderly will receive healthcare. Many as stated in the above paragraphs opt out of nursing home care because the fact is they are increasingly more able to care for themselves while still living at home or at community-based settings. Therefore, services provided by nurses, physical therapist, and home health aides will be required in these non-traditional settings. Unpaid workers, generally family members will increasingly provide assistance to their elderly family members.

What are the several factors, which are changing the way the elderly will be receiving healthcare services? The longevity of the aged. Many elderly individuals may receive care from their elderly children. This could prove to be too difficult for the elderly child, therefore again an increasing need for healthcare professionals who provide services in home or other community-based settings. Baby boomers will have a smaller network of unpaid individuals to care for them because they had smaller families than previous generations. Divorce rates were higher among Baby Boomers and research has showed that divorced individuals were less likely to receive long-term care compared to those that are widowed. Woman are more likely to provide care for their elderly parents therefore, woman may be required to take more time off from work, or take long leaves of absences from their employer.

Conclusion

The demographics of the aging and the increasing size of the aging population will change the supply and demand for healthcare workers. The aging population is increasing demands on Medicare and Medicaid with more elderly providing insurance for themselves and paying more out-of-pocket for their care. Services are increasingly provided as at home based settings with more care provided by family members. Our elderly are living longer lives, and are healthier than previous generations. More elderly today have elderly parents. These are the factors affecting the healthcare of the elderly today.

References

Government and Relations Policy (2009, July). The future of Medicare: Demographics vs. the cost of health care. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from http://www.ncpssm.org/news/archive/vp_entitlements

Monroe County Planning Commission(MCPC) (2009, October). Monroe county comprehensive plan. Monroe County Planning Commission. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from http://co.monroe.mi.us/docs/MONROE_COUNTY_2010_COMPREHENSIVE_PLAN.pdf

U.S. Census Bureau (2010, February 23). State and county quick facts. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26000.html

U.S. Department of Human Services (DHS) (2003, Spring). Changing demographics: implications for physicians, nurses, and other health workers. U.S. Department of Human Services. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/reports/changedemo/

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Demographic Paper

...Week 3 Demographic Paper Synthia Simmons October 14, 2013 The Aging Population Demographic means the branch of sociology that studies the characteristics of human population. Demographic factors consist of age, sex, education level, income level and other things. The topic I would like to discuss is about the aging population and how it affects the challenges which are related to health care. Dramatic changes are taking place in this demographic structure of the United States. By the year 2030, twenty-two (22) percent of the population will be over the age of sixty-five (65). The aging of the population presents social challenges to support the needs of older people. These social challenges help the aging to live healthier, to be independent and to lead a productive life. There are older adults that are much more healthier plus they are more educated plus they are pursuing active lives. Whenever the older adults develop a disability or chronic illness, the older adults are unable to perform one or more self-care tasks. Whenever it comes to the health care relation of aging population, information technologies can improve the lives of older adults in certain areas. These areas include e-health, medication, health care deliveries, home safety and assist devices. The aging pulation comes with many challenges such as social, financial, economic and political. Managing health...

Words: 1143 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Baby Boomers

...rate in the United States, this part of the population became known as the baby boomers. This sizable population is coming to the age when there are more needs for the services of the health care system. This increased need for care is becoming a major hurdle in the fight to control costs to the U.S. health care system. Many concerns arise from this growing demographic, how is this influx of people going to affect the cost of health care as well as the ability of the system to handle this increasing demographic? Other challenges that arise are how to reach this demographic and provide the services that they need. Whether these are prescription medicine programs, therapeutic services, to in home care this demographic needs to know what products and services are available so they can make sound decisions that may help the U.S. health system avoid a crisis. Who are the Baby Boomers? Baby boomers are the generation that was born after World War two when there was a significant rise in the U.S. population this generation is now starting to get to the age of retirement and are beginning to represent a large number of people which will need the services of the current health care system. This aging population could have a direct impact on the health care system because of the sheer number of people which are in this age group. According to Anderson, Goodman, Holtzman, Posner, & Northridge (2012) “Never before has the global population included as many older adults as it does today...

Words: 1171 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Aging Demographics

...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...

Words: 1370 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Demographic Paper

...Demographic Paper HCS /490 Demographic Paper This paper will expound upon the demographics of the aging population, data that is gathered of the said population and describe the general impact that the changing demographics may have on the health care market. Why and how will the changes in the aging population affect healthcare. In addition, identify two key health care related challenges for the aging population such as increase in health care costs, increases in prescription drugs costs, or the need for in home medical care. How a chronic disease wellness program may affect the cost of the aging population. What can the demographics tell you about the marketing needs of services needed for the aging population, finally how can a patient; the community and society as a whole address the challenges of the aging population. After gathering data about the aging population, it is understandable that it is similar to the statistics of the human population such as birth, deaths, infant mortality, and life expectancy rates. According to Kotler, Shalowitz, & Stevens (2008), people seek health care services for a number of reasons, such as illnesses, accidents, preventions and incurring injuries in one form or another. In addition, most people seek health care services because of the influence of merchants, mainly pharmaceutical companies that encourage patients to seek care for a diversity of known diseases and symptoms. This encouragement may come from public service announcements...

Words: 1172 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Demographics in Health Care

...Demographics The Aging Population Michele R. Morris HCS/490 July 17, 2011 Jennifer Pharr The Aging Population The aging population does not seem like anything other than people just receiving older. Referred to as the Baby Boomers this demographic of people are those ages 65 and older. People may think the demographics of our population have no affect on health care or our economy. This paper will include the information that proves our countries demographics do impact health care and the economy. For example, information was gathered about the target area, the aging population, and the general impact that demographic group has on the health care market. This information will also include how the aging population will increase the nation’s health care costs and prescription drug costs. This paper will include information about how a chronic disease wellness program may affect the cost for the aging population and how these issues can be addressed. Statistics Because of this proposed “baby boom” generation rapidly increasing, there has been an increased health care cost. The health care cost per person for people over age 65 is three to five times greater than that of people under the age of 65 (United states census bureau, 2003). This increased cost along with other factors such as long-term care and advancements in technology could increase health care cost even higher. More than 50 million of these Baby Boomers are sparking a demand for...

Words: 1958 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Demographic Paper

...Aging population in Charlotte County Abstract The word demographic means the amount as well as the characteristics of people that live in a specific area or region. These characteristics can range from a person’s health, ethnicity, religious beliefs, density, level of education, and economic status (Cambridge Dictionaries Online, 2011). Demographics can also include a person’s age, gender, disabilities, status of employment, and location (Cambridge Dictionaries Online, 2011). These are all the types of human characteristics that are acknowledged and used by marketing, research, and the government in demographic data. Over the years the demographics have started to change dramatically. One of the more challenging demographics that have been dramatically changing is the aging population particularly in the southwest section of Charlotte County. I will be discussing many topics regarding this group, like the impact that this demographic group has on the health care market, specific challenges, what type of needs and services the aging population requires, and a few other topics will be reviewed. The Aging Population The aging population is increasingly growing in the United States each year. This is because there has been a decrease in fertility. A person’s life span has also changed; a person is expected to live approximately 20 more years than before the second half of the 20th century. This was mostly caused by the days of the “Baby Boom”. This has caused an increase of...

Words: 1354 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Demographic Paper/ Aging Population

...Demographic Paper/Aging Population Aging Population The purpose of this summary is to provide information on the effects of changes in population demographics on the needs and services of the aging population. This summary will include the impact the aging population will have on the health care market as well as some ways in which the aging population affect health care in relation to cost. The summary hopes to provide some insight to the need for more health care professionals to care for the aging population. He summary will provide an answer to the question, what is the aging population’s effect on a chronic disease wellness program. The summary will conclude with the aging population’s effects on an individual, community, national, and global level. Aging Population in the United States According to Maestas and Zissimopoulos, “population aging is not a looming crisis of the future, it is already here” (Page 1, Para 1, 2011).When life expectancy rises and fertility declines the results are an aging population. Another issue of population aging is an increase of individuals surviving to live to an older age outgrowing the number of young people or health care professional’s ability to take care of these older people. The impact of the aging population on the future standard of living may depend on how long people continue to work. Age-related health care declines and the reluctance of employers to hire and retain older workers is a serious cause for concern. Age...

Words: 1174 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Aging Effects on Population

...Aging Population Effects on Health Care Health care is a fast evolving field with advancements of technology and treatment options growing every day. The delivery of care has grown and often shifts direction over the years to accommodate changing population demographics and needs of patients. Many factors play a part in the role of health care and medical treatment, one of those factors being population demographic changes. When the demographics of a population change it can cause adverse effects on the surrounding area in many ways, such as access to care, types of treatment needed to care for the population and the need for health care employees. In a particular population where the demographic is aging the dynamic and need for care begins to affect the health care system in a variety of ways. All health care entities involved play a role in ensuring the challenges and the needs of the population change are met. As the population demographic ages, the impact on the delivery of care will be significantly altered such as the organization of care and how it is delivered, treatment options, long-term care, and health care coverage will all be affected in different ways. According to the Administration on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 13% of the people living in the United States are elderly as of 2011, which average to about 40 million people. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that by the year 2030, this number will expand...

Words: 982 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Access to Quality Healthcare Paper

...Running head: ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE PAPER ASSIGNMENT Access to Quality Healthcare Paper Rudolphe Lubin University of Phoenix Lori Lewellen MBAJOGZL57 April 27, 2009 Quality Healthcare Introduction It will be evident to realize that financial, educational, and socio – demographic implications can bring serious impact on access to quality healthcare in the organization. Labor shortage will stay an important component that can affect as well the access to quality care. Socio – demographic changes linked with chronic illnesses can have an effect on the aging population, which may reduce the quality of life, increase costs for healthcare and rise resource allocation. In point of fact, both labor shortage and socio – demographic changes are exactingly dominant in the admittance to quality care in the United States. Besides, the demand for registered nurses and changes in science is already exceeding supply in U.S. nation, including more implications associated with other ethical dilemmas. Healthcare Labor Shortage People have to realize that progresses in medical technology, increasing expenses and market forces provide to the financial decline of many rural healthcare organizations. In reality, small rural healthcare suppliers, particularly hospitals, cannot meet the costs of the equipment and practitioners needed to treat the range of modern syndrome and injury...

Words: 1746 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Demographics

...Demographics and the Aging Population Shirley Bradford HCS/490 January 9, 2012 Jacqueline Leff Demographics and the Aging Population INTRODUCTION “In January 2011, the first baby boomers turned age 65. Over the next twenty years, the numbers of adults who are 65 and older will double (Stone & Barbarotta, 2010).” Health care for the baby boomers will increase tremendously. The older age group of 85 and over will increase as well which will make demands on the care givers. This is because senior citizens are more prone to various physical and mental illness as well as have an increase rate of dementia. Because of this increase in illness and medical use, there is a demand for this group of people to have the proper care they need. This care may include skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities as well as care in the home. According to (Stone & Barbarotta, 2010), this will be the driving force that “recognizes the demographic reality” for the next twenty years. The purpose of this paper is to show the demographics of as the baby boomers turn 65 and older, how this will affect the health care market as well as the changes in demographics of this health care. These changes in demographics of the aging population can affect the health care market by increase in the gross domestic product. Currently that percentage is 14%. As the elderly continues to age, by 2030 this will increase to about 28% in health care. Compared to about 10 years ago, more...

Words: 1006 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Demographic Paper

...Demographic Paper: With the aging population HCS/490 January 16, 2012 Demographic changes have effects on everything and most of the time people may not consider the extent of this or how it will affect others such as what the changes will have on the aging population. Changes may include the effects of his or her medical benefits, employment options, retirement, social security, housing, and most important who will provide care for the aging family members. Since entering into the new millennium, The United States has been challenged with the meeting of many demands that our aging population requires. For example, the increase there has been in the health costs, financing and delivery of health care for the older population, and the worries about health care quality is a serious challenge for health care. Health care is researched, and this is needed to help the aging population benefit from the advances in clinical, biomedical, and behavioral research. Aging adults face the challenges of chronic diseases that contributes to the diminishment of life, disability, and the increase that is seen with the cost of long-term health care. The number of older individuals is expected to increase always over time because somewhere someone is aging, and this will affect the penalties for public health, delivery systems, health care financing, informal care giving, and pension systems. Furthermore, other Countries around the world have been known to pay much more attention...

Words: 1286 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Baby Boom Population

...many years, Baby boomers have been considered as one of the US major group of people. Baby boomers are characterized as a demographic group of people born during the post-World War II baby boom, and whom now would list between the ages of 53 and 71 years of age in this year of 2017. According to many studies, it has been reported how health care has been shaped by both demographic and technological changes. The Influence of The Baby Boomer Generation has essentially made with significant impact in today’s healthcare industry and the future of the healthcare market. As many new advancements in technology the life expectancy of baby boomers has been extended and has presented a unique challenge to health care institutions and systems across...

Words: 970 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Demographic Paper

...Demographic Paper Kris Schumacher HCS/490 Sept. 24, 2011 Marcia A Thompson Demographic Paper The aging population are making more doctors visits to offices and hospitals. Hospitals are seeing in increase in older people than they were ten years ago. The aging population have more complications and have to have more tests and more care that results in a longer wait time in hospitals due to the nurse shortgage. The average length of a hospital stay for older people 65 years and older was 5.6 days. Older people average more office visits with doctors but most do not seek medical care due to financial barriers. Hospital staff needs to be able to spend more time with each patient due to more and more people are using emergency rooms to get their health care needs. In smaller rural areas the wait is usually shorter than that of a larger urban hospital (Hellmich 2008). The demographics of the aging population is changing. In the year 2009 persons 65 years old or older were numbered at 39.6 million. They represent 12.9% of the U.S. population. In 2007 people over the age of 65 had an average life expectancy of an additional 18.6 years. Also the mortality rate decreased. The baby boomers will reach the age of 65 between the years of 2010 and 2030 (“Admistration of aging”, 2011). By the year 2030 28% of the American economy will be spent on healthcare. Seniors will likely live outside of Urban areas and change their living arrangements. Seniors are finding themselves...

Words: 696 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Old Age and Immigration

...Immigration and Canada’s Aging Demographic With more people living longer and having fewer children, can the arrival of immigrants help to stabilize the balance between generations? Immigrants play an important role in supporting programs that maintain an aging work force but immigration may not be able to relieve Canada of the challenges of an aging population. One in seven Canadians is a senior citizen, 13.7% of the Canadian population was over 65 in 2006, with the fastest growing group being seniors aged 85 years or old (Soc. p. 278). The proportion of seniors will double by 2031, totalling around 25% of the population (Soc. p. 278) In September 2005, Statistics Canada released a study on the population of Canada. This report gave a detailed picture of past, present and future population trends. Understanding population trends is important to the running of social and economic systems and plays an important role in determining government policy. The report contains a warning that Ottawa and other levels of government in Canada need to make some dramatic policy changes to meet the demographic challenges of the future. The Statistics Canada Report shows that Canada’s fertility rate is 1.5 children per female. With Canada’s aging population of “baby boomers” it means that in twenty years death may outpace births. This means as Canadians we are not even “replacing” ourselves. As a result, the growth rate in our population will change from increases to an actual decrease...

Words: 1542 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Health Administration

...Demographic Paper Cherrylou E. Nunez HCS/490 April 29. 2013 Yvette Thompson Demographic Paper The demographic of aging population study in California is such an interesting study because of the wide range of various populations with different cultures and ethnicities that you will find with in California alone. According to the latest census it shows that there are 3.6 million of the 34 million living in California as of April 1, 2000 are 65 or older of age of which representing nearly 11% of the state’s overall population. It is somewhat lower than the 13% of Americans who are elderly. In addition, at the same time, nearly 30% of Californians were 19 or younger, and 59% were ages 20 to 64. The differences of California from the rest of the nation is that in large area of the state’s has nearly have numbers of international immigrants who in the younger generation from the rest of the population and are more in the side of male. On this study, it indicate that there is an important change in the age distribution of population forecast over the next fifty years, because of the decline rate of mortality and life expectancy increases. Presently, the life expectancy in California is 78.8 statistically nearly one year longer compare as a whole in the nation. In addition, it gives a study that by year 2050, the probability estimate of life expectancy in California is 50%, and that would give a figure of 84.2 more than three years larger than the present world record which...

Words: 1350 - Pages: 6