Our Healthcare Needs Driving Big Changes in the System...
According to a recent infographic by Concordia University with data from government sources, by 2020, an estimated 5.6 million healthcare jobs will be created to accommodate our increasing needs, in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, nursing care facilities, community care facilities for the elderly, and home healthcare services.
Here's the findings (put on your readers...this graph was clearly not meant for Boomer eyes...):
Boomers First Generation to Have So Many With No One to Care For Them
According to the latest geriatrics research, compiled through a case study and literature review by Maria Torroella Carney, MD, chief of geriatric and palliative medicine at the North Shore-LIJ Health System, "(the combination of) an aging Baby Boomer population and increasing numbers of childless and unmarried seniors, (is resulting in) nearly one-quarter of Americans over age 65 are currently or at risk to become 'elder orphans,' a vulnerable group requiring greater awareness and advocacy efforts"
Dr. Carney's comprehensive review of existing research leads her to conclude:"We have a sense that this will be a growing population as society ages and life expectancy increases, and our government and society need to prepare how to advocate for this population." "There is potentially no structure to address this population as this population is hidden right before us," added Dr. Carney, who calls the group elder orphans because they are aging alone and unsupported, with no known family member or designated surrogate to act on their behalf.
This means Boomers must once again wear our change-agent head-gear and start advocating for better resources to help their fellow Boomers, not just because it's the humane thing to do, but because advance preparation and assessment means cost-savings in the long run as these people enter the system. No supports can be far more expensive than well-considered ones.
Use this link to read the full article in Medical Express.
Dr. Carney's comprehensive review of existing research leads her to conclude:"We have a sense that this will be a growing population as society ages and life expectancy increases, and our government and society need to prepare how to advocate for this population." "There is potentially no structure to address this population as this population is hidden right before us," added Dr. Carney, who calls the group elder orphans because they are aging alone and unsupported, with no known family member or designated surrogate to act on their behalf.
This means Boomers must once again wear our change-agent head-gear and start advocating for better resources to help their fellow Boomers, not just because it's the humane thing to do, but because advance preparation and assessment means cost-savings in the long run as these people enter the system. No supports can be far more expensive than well-considered ones.
Use this link to read the full article in Medical Express.
