Chapter 1: The Aging Population

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the historical, legislative, demographic, and health-related aspects of the aging population based on the lecture notes.

Older adults

Individuals aged $65$ years and older.

Youngest-old

The demographic subgroup of older adults aged $65$ to $74$ years.

Middle-old

The demographic subgroup of older adults aged $75$ to $84$ years.

Oldest-old

The demographic subgroup of older adults aged $85+$ years.

Centenarians

Individuals aged $100+$ years, of which $78\%$ are women and $77\%$ are White.

Functional age

A term used to describe physical, psychological, and social function rather than just chronological years.

Perceived age

An estimation of age based on appearance, which is often correlated with health status.

Age identity

The way in which individuals perceive their own age.

Poor Laws

Early $17$th century English laws that provided care for economically disadvantaged older people.

1935 Federal Old Age Insurance Law

Legislation that provided financial security for older people via Social Security.

Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020

Legislation governing programs related to health, nutrition, caregiver support, and transportation for the aging population.

Compression of morbidity hypothesis

A concept suggesting that the onset of serious illness can be delayed to improve the quality of life and decrease the period of decline before death.

Life expectancy

The average period a person may expect to live, which was $59.7$ years in $1930$, $70.2$ years in $1965$, and is currently $77.5$ years.

LGBTQ+ older adults

A growing population of over $2.4$ million individuals aged $65+$ (projected to reach $7$ million by $2030$) who experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders.

Medicare

A health insurance program for older adults eligible for Social Security benefits, covering hospital services, primary provider services, and limited skilled nursing care.

Medicare Part B

The portion of Medicare covering primary provider and nursing services, diagnostic tests, vaccinations, durable medical equipment, and prosthetic devices.

Medicare Part C

Also known as Medicare Advantage Plans; private insurance plans that cover additional benefits beyond standard Medicare.

Medicaid

Health insurance for resource-limited individuals of any age; it serves as the largest payer of long-term nursing home care.

Long-term care insurance

Private insurance policy that covers healthcare costs not paid by Medicare, though it is often not widely subscribed due to high expense.

Comorbidity

The management of multiple chronic conditions simultaneously, which is a common challenge for the older population.

Baby boomers

The cohort of individuals born between $1946$ and $1964$, who are entering their senior years between $2011$ and $2030$.