Implications of an Aging Population

Question 1

What are the primary trends in age demographics within the U.S.?

Answer 1

• Increasing percentage of the population aged 65+

Question 2

What is the financial impact of an aging population?

Answer 2

Increased healthcare costs and economic pressure on the healthcare system.

Question 3

What are the components of physical functional activities related to the ICF model?

Answer 3

• Mobility
• ADLs
• IADLs
• Work
• Recreation

Question 4

What are potential societal roles of elderly individuals?

Answer 4

• Employees
• Caregivers
• Volunteers
• Active community members

Question 5

At what age is an individual considered an ‘older adult’ and ‘geriatric’ ?

Answer 5

• ‘Older adult’ = 55+
• ‘Geriatric’ = 65+

Question 6

What percentage of the US population is over 65?

Answer 6

15% as of recent data.

Question 7

What are the trends in life expectancy?

Answer 7

• Increasing life expectancy due to medical and health technology advances.
• Older women outnumber older men at 29.1 million older women to 23.3 million older men.

Question 8

What is the projected change in the population aged 85 and older by 2040?

Answer 8

An increase from 6.5 million in 2018 to 14.4 million.

Question 9

What are the gender differences in mortality rates among older adults?

Answer 9

Women have lower mortality rates than men.

Question 10

How does marital status affect mortality rates?

Answer 10

Married individuals have lower mortality rates than unmarried individuals.

Question 11

What percentage of older adults live alone?

Answer 11

About 28% of individuals aged 65 and older.

Question 12

What is the strongest predictor that an older adult will no longer be able to live alone?

Answer 12

Decline in their functional ability to perform ADLs.

Question 13

What was the racial and ethnic distribution of the elderly population in 2018?

Answer 13

• 77% non-Hispanic / White
• 9% African American
• 8% Hispanic
• 5% Asian

• The Hispanic elderly population is estimated to have the fastest overall growth rate.

Question 14

What are the trends in economic well-being of older adults?

Answer 14

Overall improvement, but disparities remain among women and minorities.

Question 15

What are the poverty trends among elderly by gender and ethnicity?

Answer 15

Women and elderly Hispanics and Blacks are more likely to experience poverty.

Question 16

What is the financial impact of an aging population on the healthcare system?

Answer 16

Growing costs and need for cost-effective healthcare management.

Question 17

What are the leading chronic conditions among adults aged 65 and older?

Answer 17

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Stroke
• Arthritis

Question 18

What percentage of older adults have one or more chronic conditions?

Answer 18

• 80% have one chronic condition
• 50% have two or more

Question 19

What is the impact of obesity on older adults?

Answer 19

Major cause of preventable disease and premature death.

Question 20

What are physical functional activities?

Answer 20

Activities such as mobility, ADLs, IADLs, work, and recreation.

Question 21

What is the labor force participation rate among older adults?

Answer 21

Increasing for both men and women.

Question 22

What roles do elderly individuals play in families?

Answer 22

Traditional roles, caregivers for spouses, and grandparents.

Question 23

What is the role of grandparents in caregiving?

Answer 23

Increasingly assuming roles as primary and secondary caregivers for grandchildren.

Question 24

What are the implications of an aging population for physical therapists?

Answer 24

Increased need for PT services and demonstrating cost-effectiveness of treatment.

Question 25

Why is it important for PTs to demonstrate cost effectiveness?

Answer 25

To manage rising healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.

Question 26

What are the key points from population trends of elderly in the US?

Answer 26

Growing elderly population, increasing comorbidities, and rising healthcare costs.

Question 27

How is the shape of the age pyramid changing?

Answer 27

From a triangular to a rectangular shape.

Question 28

What is the impact of declining birth rates on the aging population?

Answer 28

A larger proportion of the population is becoming elderly.

Question 29

What health technologies are advancing life expectancy?

Answer 29

Medical innovations and improved healthcare practices.

Question 30

What are the marital status statistics among elderly men and women?

Answer 30

69% of older men are married, compared to 47% of older women.

Question 31

What is the prevalence of living alone by gender and ethnicity?

Answer 31

More common among non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks, and among women.

Question 32

What are the common chronic conditions by gender and age?

Answer 32

Varies, but includes heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.

Question 33

What percentage of older adults are overweight or obese?

Answer 33

* Over 60% of adults aged 55 and older.

Question 34

What are the trends in labor force participation by age and gender?

Answer 34

Increasing participation for both older men and women.

Question 35

# *Objectives* **Objective 1**: Recognize trends in age demographics within the U.S. * Trend in Age Demographics = **?**

Answer 35

**Objective 1**: Recognize trends in age demographics within the U.S. **a**) Trend in Age Demographics: * The proportion of the U.S. population that is 65 or older is increasing. As of recent data, 15% of the U.S. population is 65 or older. * Life expectancy is rising due to advances in medical and health technologies. The percentage of elderly individuals will continue to increase as birth rates decline and death rates fall. * The population aged 85 and older is projected to more than double from 6.5 million in 2018 to 14.4 million by 2040. * The age pyramid is changing from a traditional triangular shape to a more rectangular shape, indicating a larger proportion of older adults.

Question 36

# *Objectives* **Objective 2**: Identify financial impact of aging population * Financial Impact = **?**

Answer 36

**Objective 2**: Identify financial impact of aging population **a**) Financial Impact: * The aging population increases healthcare costs significantly. Older adults often require more medical care, leading to higher spending on health services. * National health spending is anticipated to grow at an annual rate of 5.6% through 2025, with the health share of GDP expected to rise to 19.9% by 2025. * Economic well-being has improved overall, but disparities remain. Women and minority elderly populations are more likely to experience poverty. * The financial impact includes the need for cost-effective healthcare management and increased pressure on the healthcare system to manage these rising costs.

Question 37

# *Objectives* **Objective 3**: Describe components of physical functional activities and relate to ICF model * Components of Physical Functional Activities = **?**

Answer 37

**Objective 3**: Describe components of physical functional activities and relate to ICF model **a**) Components of Physical Functional Activities: **Mobility**: * Includes transfers, gait, and bed mobility. * Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. **Instrumental Activities of Daily Living** (**IADLs**): * More complex activities related to independent living, such as housekeeping, shopping, managing finances, and medication management. **Work and Recreation**: * Nearly 19% of older adults are still working, and recreational activities are important for maintaining quality of life. * These activities relate to the ICF model by considering the individual's ability to perform tasks and engage in activities within their environment, accounting for personal and environmental factors.

Question 38

# *Objectives* **Objective 4**: Consider potential societal roles of elderly * Societal Roles of Elderly = **?**

Answer 38

**Objective 4**: Consider potential societal roles of elderly **a**) Societal Roles of Elderly: **Traditional Roles**: * Elderly individuals often continue to fulfill traditional social roles, such as being a spouse, parent, or community member. **Work**: * Increasing labor force participation among older adults indicates that many continue to work past the traditional retirement age. **Caregiving**: * Many elderly individuals take on caregiving roles, particularly for their spouses or as primary caregivers for grandchildren. * This trend is increasing due to longer life expectancies and changing family dynamics. **Volunteering and Community Involvement**: * Elderly individuals often engage in volunteer activities, contributing to their communities and maintaining social connections. **Adaptation to New Roles**: * With changes in physical abilities and societal expectations, elderly individuals may adapt to new roles that require different physical and cognitive skills.