Elderly Demographics
Elderly Demographics
Dana Laymance
Due to the many advances in medicine and education over the last century,
longevity has increased tremendously therefore increasing the aged community.
Eight percent of the population of the world are over the age of 65. A large
percent of this demographic group are choosing to live out their golden years
and retire in the country. (Atterton, J. 2008). Although demographic aging carries
with it many challenges, it has its share of contributions and opportunities
for today and future society. Many people falsely believe that the older age group
is a burden to society when in fact, they have quite a bit to contribute to society.
Once these older individuals reach retirement age they are often wealthier,
healthier and much more active than their predecessors. By the time they reach
retirement age, most of these people have built up a considerable amount of
economic and social resources that they can contribute to their community. An
example of this would be in the case of new businesses. Older people are much
more successful when starting a new business than younger people (Atterton, J.
2008). The negative side of the retirement age is that many of the elderly have
completely left the labor force and rely solely on savings, or pensions for
support. Postponing retirement is one solution but may not be possible in all
cases.
The increase of the elderly population will be followed by an increased demand
for health care needs, which will have major implications on the health care
workforce. The needs of the elderly are much different than that of younger
people, and because of this physicians will spend an increasing amount of time
treating the elderly. This will naturally increase the overall demand for
Dana Laymance
Due to the many advances in medicine and education over the last century,
longevity has increased tremendously therefore increasing the aged community.
Eight percent of the population of the world are over the age of 65. A large
percent of this demographic group are choosing to live out their golden years
and retire in the country. (Atterton, J. 2008). Although demographic aging carries
with it many challenges, it has its share of contributions and opportunities
for today and future society. Many people falsely believe that the older age group
is a burden to society when in fact, they have quite a bit to contribute to society.
Once these older individuals reach retirement age they are often wealthier,
healthier and much more active than their predecessors. By the time they reach
retirement age, most of these people have built up a considerable amount of
economic and social resources that they can contribute to their community. An
example of this would be in the case of new businesses. Older people are much
more successful when starting a new business than younger people (Atterton, J.
2008). The negative side of the retirement age is that many of the elderly have
completely left the labor force and rely solely on savings, or pensions for
support. Postponing retirement is one solution but may not be possible in all
cases.
The increase of the elderly population will be followed by an increased demand
for health care needs, which will have major implications on the health care
workforce. The needs of the elderly are much different than that of younger
people, and because of this physicians will spend an increasing amount of time
treating the elderly. This will naturally increase the overall demand for
References: Atterton, J. (2008). Demographics of the ageing rural population. Working with Older People, 12(3), 19-22. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/213986269?accountid=35812 Sauvy, A. (1963). DEMOGRAPHIC AGEING. International Social Science Journal, 15(3), 355. Brunetti, M., & Torricelli, C. (2010). Demographics and asset returns: Does the dynamics of population ageing matter? Annals of Finance, 6(2), 193-219. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10436-008-0114-6 Freedman, VA and Martin, LG. 1998. Understanding Trends in Functional Limitations Among Older Americans. American Journal of Public Health. Vol. 88(10): pp. 1457-1462.