The Graying of America - - Travel Nursing

Advertise | Travel Nursing Jobs | Contact Us | Subscribe/Renew

New

Click here to read Healthcare Traveler's Digital Edition online.

HT Blogger

Healthcare professionals trained in palliative care should experience a surge in career opportunities. Read about it on HT Blogger.

Take the company provided housing or take a housing stipend? Jeff Long describes how to find your next housing on HT Blogger.

Email|Print|

|Save|License

The Graying of America

Oct 1, 2011
By: Shari Held
Healthcare Traveler

12 3 4 5

This year marks the beginning of what has been called the "silver tsunami." That's because he first wave of the 78 million "baby boomers" turned 65 in 2011. Each year for the next 18 years, many more will hit this mark, as millions more Americans retire.

Janet Elkin (Photo: courtesy of Janet Elkin)

Although the healthcare system is feeling the pinch now, the real pressure lies ahead. By 2030, it's estimated that more than 70 million Americans — about one in five — will reach 65 years or more. Twenty million of that total will top the age of 80. Already, the fastest growing demographic in America is people 85 years and older.

Anthony Maki, OT (Photo: courtesy of Anthony Maki)

Not surprisingly, these different age groups present varied healthcare issues — systematical, political and fiscal. One estimate, however, is almost certain: While aging Americans are living longer and growing in number, the demand for comprehensive geriatric services will increase proportionately.

Sandra Raehl (Photo: courtesy of Sandra Raehl)

"We are vastly ill-prepared to provide the needed care for the rapidly increasing numbers of elderly in America," says John W. Rowe, M.D., professor of health policy and management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. "All the emphasis has been on the funding for Medicare, but that is only half the problem. If the money is there but there are not enough qualified providers to actually give the care, Medicare becomes an empty promise."

Dr. Rowe recently chaired the committee that researched and wrote the Institute of Medicine's "Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Healthcare Workforce" report.

Stephanie Santiago, RN (Photo: Stephanie Santiago)

Experts say that changes ushered in by the 2010 Affordable Care Act offer millions of formerly uninsured people access to the healthcare system, and this will only add to the crush of demand.

"This is all going to put a strain on our healthcare system," says Steven R. Counsell, M.D., a scientist at Indiana University School of Medicine's Center for Aging Research and founding director of the university's geriatrics department. "Unless we can figure out better, more efficient ways to care for people, we're not going to have enough hospital beds or nursing beds or care providers who can help people stay in their homes."

12 3 4 5

Shari Held

Shari Held is a freelance writer based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Articles by Shari Held

post a comment

Please complete the form below to post your comment.

Bold = Required

Email Address		Your email address will NOT be published.
Display Name		appears with your comment
City
State
Country

Remember me: YesNo

Comment

read our privacy policy

Note: does not support HTML

All comments submitted are subject to review, and may be delayed before posting. We reserve the right not to post comments.

Immediate job opportunities for traveling nurses, therapists & technologistsClick & Submit for FREE Information

Healthcare Traveler archives are now available on ModernMedicine.com, a new online resource designed to meet the evolving needs of nurses.
Register now (it's free and quick) or Find out more.

Keep visiting HealthcareTraveler.com for fresh content, news, opinions, editor's blogs and more.

Modern Medicine is a new online resource designed to meet the evolving needs of physicians. It brings together elements from Advanstar's trusted healthcare journals along with powerful tools, resources, decision support and advisory functions.

Allergy & Immunology Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Pharmacology Cosmetic Surgery Dermatology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Locum Tenens	Managed Care & Medicare Part D Medical Economics Neurology Nursing Nutrition Obstetrics/Gynecology & Women's Health Oncology Ophthalmology Orthopedics Pathology	Pediatrics Pharmacy Primary Care Medicine Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Radiology Surgery Surgical Video Center Urology
All Resource Centers, Condition Centers and Reference Shelves

About the Author

Shari Held