chapter 1 the aging population
DESCRIPTION
Chapter 1 The Aging Population. Introduction. Myths of aging Misinformation as an injustice Role of the gerontological nurse: Know the facts Educate the public. Improvements for Older Adults. 1914: Dr. I. L. Nascher—“Father of Geriatrics”— first geriatric textbook - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Chapter 1
The Aging Population
Chapter 1
The Aging Population
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
IntroductionIntroduction
• Myths of aging
• Misinformation as an injustice
• Role of the gerontological nurse:
– Know the facts
– Educate the public
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Improvements for Older Adults Improvements for Older Adults
• 1914: Dr. I. L. Nascher—“Father of Geriatrics”— first geriatric textbook
• 1935: Federal Old Age Insurance Law under the Social Security Act
• 1965: formation of the Administration on Aging, Older Americans Act, Medicare, and Medicaid
• Continued growing concern for older adults
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Subsets of the Older Adult PopulationSubsets of the Older Adult Population
• Young-old
• Old-old
• Middle-old
• Centenarians
• Diversity rather than homogeneity
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Population Growth and Increasing Life Expectancy
Population Growth and Increasing Life Expectancy
• Persons 65+ currently represent more than 12% of the U.S. population
• By the year 2020 older adults will grow to 17% of the population
• Increasing life expectancy:
– 1930: 59.7 years
– 1965: 70.2 years
– Present: 77.8 years
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Factors Influencing Increased Life Expectancy
Factors Influencing Increased Life Expectancy
• Advancements in disease control and health technology
• Lower infant and child mortality rates
• Improved sanitation
• Better living conditions
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Life Expectancy: Race and GenderLife Expectancy: Race and Gender
• Gap between white people and black people
– Societal issues
– Concern for nurses
• Gap is narrowing between males and females
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Marital Status and Living ArrangementsMarital Status and Living Arrangements
• Older women are more likely than men to be married
• Most older adults live with a spouse or other family member
• More women than men live alone
• Potential for living alone increased with age
• Most older adults have family contact
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Geographic DistributionGeographic Distribution
• States with the greatest number of older adults: California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania
• States with dramatic increases in the past decade: Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, and Arizona
• States with the lowest percentage of total population over age 65: Alaska, Utah, and Georgia
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Income of Older AdultsIncome of Older Adults
• 10% of older adults live below the poverty level
• Older adults dependent on Social Security for more than half of their income
• Median net worth is twice the national average related to home ownership
• “Asset rich and cash poor”
• Women and minority groups are poorer than white men
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Employment and the Older Adult PopulationEmployment and the Older Adult Population
• Declining percentage of workers in the labor force
• Men leaving the workforce at an earlier age
• Increase in the number of middle-aged women who are employed
• Increased desire to work at the age of retirement
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
EducationEducation
• Increasing levels of education in the older adult population
• Advanced degrees and higher income
• Impact on health care:
– Older adults will be more informed consumers
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Health Status of Older Adults: Acute Conditions
Health Status of Older Adults: Acute Conditions
• Fewer acute illnesses
• Lower death rates
• Longer period of recovery
• More complications
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Health Status of Older Adults: Chronic Conditions
Health Status of Older Adults: Chronic Conditions
• Major problem that increases with age
• Most have at least one chronic disease; many have several
• Result in limitations in ADLs and IADLs
• Leading cause of disability and death
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Implications of an Aging PopulationImplications of an Aging Population
• Impact on health and social service agencies
• Need for gerontological nurses
• Future needs
• Payment of services
• Impact and characteristics of the “baby boomers”
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Provision and Payment of ServicesProvision and Payment of Services
• Higher rates of hospitalization, surgery, and physician visits
– Paid by federal dollars most often
• Less than 5% of older adults live in a nursing home, assisted living, or other institutions
• Long-term care payment
• Role of the gerontological nurse