Demographics: An Aging Population

Gerontology

Scientific study of the aging processes as one ages from middle age through latera life

Gerontologist

Includes professionals from diverse fields such as biology, sociology, and psychology

Geriatrics

Study of health and disease in latera life and the comprehensive health care of older persons and the well-being of their caregiver

Geriatrician

Internists or family practice doctors specifically trained in medical care for older people

Geriatric Certified Specialist (GCS)

A PT who is board certified through the ABPT created by the APTA in 1978

Ageism

Discrimination and prejudice leveled against persons based on their age

Life span

Maximum survival potential
In humans 110-120 years

Classification of the elderly

Young old: 65-74
Middle old: 75-84
Old old or frail elderly: 85+
100+: centenarian
110+: supercentenarian

How many people are over the age of 100 in the US

2000: 50,545 people
2010: 53,364 people

What is the main factor in affecting population demographics

Fertility and mortality

People over the age of 65 in the US and projects in the future

2000: 35 million
2010: 40 million
2020: 56 million
2050: 88 million

% of the population at least 65 years old

1900: 4%
1960: 9%
2000: 12.4%
2020: 16.9%
2050: 22%

Statistics about US population for 85 years old

Oldest old is greater than 85 years old and will grow fast
Grew by 1.25 million from 2000 to 2010
There were 6.3 million in 2015 and 9.1 million by 2030
13.2% in 2015 and 21.6% by 2050

Nation’s median age

2000: 35.3 years
2022: 38.3 years

Gender differences in age

Women outnumber men 3/2 over the age of 65
Women outnumber men 5/2 over the age of 85
Gender gap in life expectancy is narrowing

People over 60 vs people under 15

In 2015 for the first time in the US, the number of people over 60 exceeded those under 15

Life expectancy: time span

Roman time: 28 years
US in 1900: 48 years (white), 34 (non white)
US in 2050: men (80.5) and women (84.4)

Life expectancy: factors

Heredity and environment (staying active, diet, and managing stress) are key
Most common causes of death over the age of 65: CAD (31%) and cancer (20%)
CVA deaths decrease due to better management of HTN

Living situations: typical nursing home population

65-74 years: 1-2%
74-84: 6%
85+: 20-25%
40% spend some time in a nursing home during their life
5% at least 65 years old reside in nursing homes

Living situations: elderly living

67% of elderly live in a family setting
Half of older women (75+) live alone
Half of all older women are widows

Socioeconomic factors

Poverty increases with age
Women more prone to poverty
Most live on fixed incomes
Daughters tend to have more contact with their elderly parents than do sons
Working class children stay in contact with parents better than executive type children
1/3 of white and blacks live alone, other minorities rarely live alone

Functional limitation: help with one or more basic ADL

65-74: 5.3%
75-84: 11.4%
85+: 34.8%

Functional limitations: needs help with one or more instrumental ADL

65-74: 5.7%
75-84: 14.2%
85+: 40.0%

Chronic conditions

Over 50% of men and 70% of women over 80 years have 2+ chronic conditions

What are the chronic conditions and the % of the population having it

Arthritis: 49%
HTN: 37%
Impaired hearing: 32%
CAD: 30%
Cataracts: 17%
Visual impairment: 9%
Diabetes: 7%
Ortho impairments: 6%

Health care

Substantial portions of elders’ income goes for medical insurance, deductibles, and coinsurance payments
65 years and older account for 1/3 of hospitalization
Hospital stays for those older than 65 are significantly longer than those younger than 65
Average of 9 physician contacts per year
Hip fracturs are the most common ortho condition
2 leading causes of death for bed bound patients are pneumonia and UTIs

Hip fracture stastics

25% die, 25-75% will not regain pre fracture status
50% will not walk again, the first 6 months is critical

Miscellaneous facts

Education level of elderly is increasing
Immigration and fertility rates of minority groups vary and will shape the makeup of the elderly in the US
Rehabilitation of geriatric patients in the US is mostly covered by Medicare and Medicaid
No age group is doing better financially than it was a decade ago
Important connection between health and wealth in older adults
Since people are living longer it is hard to finance 30 years of retirement
In 2019 the percentage of elderly in US ranged from 11/1% in UT to 20.5% in FL and 20.6 in ME
2019: elderly already exceeded 20% of the population in 11 countries
Percentage of elderly in nursing homes typically lower than in the US

What are the 3 areas to modify for financial purposes

Healthful living
Financial security
Social engagement