Growing Options, Inc. Professional Geriatric Care Management

The New Millenium

Some facts from the “Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics” In 1900, there were 3 million people age 65 or older. This was 4% of the total population in the United States. In 2000, there are 35 million people age 65 or older. This is 13% of the total population the United States. The number of older Americans has increased more than ten-fold since 1900. In 2011, the “baby boom” generation will begin to turn 65. By 2030, it is projected that people age 65 or older will double over the next 30 years, growing to 70 million by 2030. The population age 85 and older is currently the fastest growing segment of the older population. Projections by the U.S. Census Bureau suggest that the population age 85 and older could grow from about 4 million in 2000 to 19 million by 2050. The size of this age group is especially important for the future of our health care system, because these individuals tend to be in poorer health and require more care.

So who is going to provide care to the elder generation? Traditionally women provided the vast majority of elder care in this country. Today, over 55% of women are in the workforce, which has lead to a change in the traditional family care structure. Other factors that have changed the family support base are later marriage, later child bearing, fewer children and divorce. In addition to the modified family support structure, we are also challenged with the complexity of our own time schedules. Researching, understanding, customizing and coordinating all the necessary services to ensure comprehensive quality care can be very time consuming and overwhelming. Geriatric Care Management has filled this gap in the American family support structure for the elder generation.

Growing Options Inc. 9A Grays Plain Rd, Sandy Hook, CT 06482 lisa@growingoptions.com (203) 258-2640