Life Expectancy now 77.9 Years
I recently read that life expectancy in the United States is 77.9 (and Canada even has a higher life expectancy). The same Disability.gov article stated that once people reach the age of 80, the chance of them having a disability increases to 75%.
Thus, with 10,000 Elder Boomers (aka, Baby Boomers) turning 65 everyday in the US, we will have a lot more elderly people with disabilities. The Disability.gov article states that by 2020, the number of Americans over 65 in long-term care will increase to 12 million.
Of course, most of the older persons with disabilities will live in the community. Thus there will be a great potential for RTs to serve these persons both in their communities and in long-term care.
It is sure something to ponder. I hope our universities are preparing RT students with the backgrounds to be able to serve this emerging population.
Thus, with 10,000 Elder Boomers (aka, Baby Boomers) turning 65 everyday in the US, we will have a lot more elderly people with disabilities. The Disability.gov article states that by 2020, the number of Americans over 65 in long-term care will increase to 12 million.
Of course, most of the older persons with disabilities will live in the community. Thus there will be a great potential for RTs to serve these persons both in their communities and in long-term care.
It is sure something to ponder. I hope our universities are preparing RT students with the backgrounds to be able to serve this emerging population.
posted by Hoosier RT | 11:26 AM
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