Chapter 1

LWW PPT Slide Template MasterChapter 1
Introduction
Know the facts
Educate the public
Views of Older Adults Through History
Current older population:
Positivism, intelligence, concern
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Improvements for Older Adults
1914: Dr. I. L. Nascher—“Father of Geriatrics”— first geriatric textbook
1935: Federal Old Age Insurance Law under the Social Security Act
1965: formation of the Administration on Aging, Older Americans Act, Medicare, and Medicaid
Continued growing concern for older adults
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Question
Is the following statement true or false?
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Answer
False.
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Subsets of the Older Adult Population
Young-old
Old-old
Middle-old
Centenarians
Population Growth and
Increasing Life Expectancy
Persons 65+ currently represent more than 12% of the U.S. population
By the year 2020 older adults will grow to 17% of the population
Increasing life expectancy:
1930: 59.7 years
1965: 70.2 years
Present: 77.8 years
Factors Influencing Increased
Lower infant and child mortality rates
Improved sanitation
Life Expectancy: Race and Gender
Gap between white people and black people
Societal issues
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Marital Status and Living Arrangements
Older women are more likely than men to be married
Most older adults live with a spouse or other family member
More women than men live alone
Potential for living alone increased with age
Most older adults have family contact
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Geographic Distribution
States with the greatest number of older adults: California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania
States with dramatic increases in the past decade: Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, and Arizona
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Income of Older Adults
10% of older adults live below the poverty level
Older adults dependent on Social Security for more than half of their income
Median net worth is twice the national average related to home ownership
“Asset rich and cash poor”
Women and minority groups are poorer than white men
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Question
“Asset rich and cash poor” relates to which of the following statements related to older adults?
Net worth of older adults is half the national average of middle-age adults
Homes are paid for but there is not enough money available for monthly expenses
The majority of older adults live below the poverty level
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Answer
b. Homes are paid for but there is not enough money available for monthly expenses
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Employment and the Older Adult Population
Declining percentage of workers in the labor force
Men leaving the workforce at an earlier age
Increase in the number of middle-aged women who are employed
Increased desire to work at the age of retirement
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Education
Advanced degrees and higher income
Impact on health care:
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Health Status of Older Adults:
Acute Conditions
Health Status of Older Adults:
Chronic Conditions
Most have at least one chronic disease; many have several
Result in limitations in ADLs and IADLs
Leading cause of disability and death
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Question
Is the following statement true or false?
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Answer
True.
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Implications of an Aging Population
Impact on health and social service agencies
Need for gerontological nurses
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Provision and Payment of Services
Higher rates of hospitalization, surgery, and physician visits
Paid by federal dollars most often
Less than 5% of older adults live in a nursing home, assisted living, or other institutions
Long-term care payment
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