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Longevity is increasing.. People are living longer. Advances in modern
medicine and life-style changes, has caused experts to conclude that the
number of people over the age of 65 will double by the year 2050. Each
year the U.S. elderly population is growing at such a rate that the
80-plus segment represents the fastest growing segment of the population
(a phenomenon which virtually never existed before).
The current health conscious focus of Americans has resulted in an
attentiveness to healthy diet and exercise, and is increasing their
projected longevity. The problem is, as people age, they are more likely
to suffer from chronic illnesses such as strokes or Alzheimer's. The
result is that we see that, Americans over the age of 65 face a 40% risk
of entering a nursing home for Long Term Care services.
Recently we are seeing a public focus on Long Term Care as people
experience the changes impacting families. The tradition of years ago has
been that most elderly depended upon their family to care for them as
they aged. Since family members lived close by or even under the same
roof this was easier.
The experience of our time is that many women are in the work force,
children have moved away and divorce rates are approaching 50%. Putting
these factors together contributes to the inability of families to meet
the needs of the aging parent population. Thus the elderly must rely on
professional assistance, which comes at a cost.
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Long-Term Care
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Supplement
