Overview of the Aging Population

Josephine GittlerWiley B. Rutledge Professor of Law

ColloquiumThe Aging Population, Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias:

Law & Public Policy

University of Iowa College of LawJanuary 12, 2012

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Growth in the Aging Population

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Growth in the Aging PopulationIn 2009:

The number of persons 65+ was 39.6 million, or 12.9% of the total population.

From 2010-2050:It’s projected that persons 65+ will more

than double from 40.2 million, or 13% of the totalpopulation, to 88.5 million, or 20.2% of the total population.

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Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, A Profile of Older Americans: 2010 (2011).

Growth in the Aging Population

The “oldest old”, 85+ are the fastest growing segment of the population

From 2010-2050, it is projected that the “oldest old” will more than triple, from 5.7 million, or 14% of the population 65 and older, to 19 million, or 21% of the population 65 and older.

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Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, A Profile of Older Americans: 2010 (2011).

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6Source: Finney, Daniel P. (2011, Dec. 1). Iowa near front of U.S. senior population boom, Des Moines Register.

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Source: Finney, Daniel P. (2011, Dec. 1). Iowa near front of U.S. senior population boom, Des Moines Register.

Increasing Life Expectancy

1900

47.3 years

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2009

78.02 years

Growth in Aging Population:The Baby Boomers

(born between 1946-1964)

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Baby Boomers Are Aging

77.3 million baby boomers started turning

65 in 2011.

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Aging Patterns by Gender and Race

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Source: GRAYSON K. VINCENT & VICTORIA A VELKOFF, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, THE NEXT FOUR DECADES: THE OLDER POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES 2010 TO 2050, POPULATION ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS (2010).

13Source: WAN HE & MARK N. MUENCHRATH, NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING & U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, 90+ IN THE UNITED STATES: 2006-2008, AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY REPORTS (2011).

Source: GRAYSON K. VINCENT & VICTORIA A VELKOFF, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, THE NEXT FOUR DECADES: THE OLDER POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES 2010 TO 2050, POPULATION ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS (2010).

Dependency Ratios

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Old-age dependency

Youth dependency

Dependency Ratios for the United States:2010 to 2050

37

45

2228 35 37

46 48 48 48

6774

83 8585

20502010 2020 2030 2040

Note: Total dependency=((Population under age 20 + Population aged 65 years and over) / (Population aged 20 to 64 years)) * 100.Old-age dependency = (Population aged 65 years and over / Population aged 20 to 64 years) * 100.Youth dependency = (Population under age 20 / Population aged 20 to 64 years) * 100.

Source: GRAYSON K. VINCENT & VICTORIA A VELKOFF, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, THE NEXT FOUR DECADES: THE OLDER POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES 2010 TO 2050, POPULATION ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS (2010).

Effects of Aging

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The Aging Population:Chronic Diseases & Disabilities Chronic disease and disability take a

disproportionate toll on the elderly Most older people have at least one chronic

disease, e.g. heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Physical disabilities increase with age, e.g. vision,

hearing, and mobility impairments. Older persons, particularly the “oldest old” are at

risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

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Sources: Federal Interagency Forum on Age Related Statistics. (2011). Older Americans 2010, Key Indicators of Well-Being.U.S. Administration on Aging. (n.d.). A Profile of Older Americans: 2010.

Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults: Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

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As the population ages, the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is predicted to increase.

Dementia is a group of symptoms affecting the intellectual and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.

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Dementia is not a normal part of aging. But risk of dementia increases with advancing age. Most persons with dementia are aged 65 and older 1 of 8 individuals 65 years of age and older have

Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly one-half of people over 85 years have

dementia.

Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults: Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

Sources: Alzheimer’s Association. (n.d.). Risk Factors .; Alzheimer’s Association. (2011). 2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.

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In 2011,An estimated 5.4 million persons of all ages, and 5.2 million persons aged 65 and older had Alzheimer’s1 in 8 persons aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’sNearly one half of persons aged 85 and older have Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death nationwide and the 5th leading cause of death in Iowa.

Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults: Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

Sources: Alzheimer’s Association. (n.d.). Risk Factors .; Alzheimer’s Association. (2011). 2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.

The Aging Population:Functional and Cognitive Limitations As a result of chronic diseases

and disabilities, a substantial proportion of the aging population, especially the “oldest old” have functional and cognitive limitations.

Functional and cognitive limitations may result in an inability to perform or difficulty in performing activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

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For Further Information:

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Professor Josephine Gittler412 Boyd Law Building

University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242

josephine-gittler@uiowa.edu

(319) 335-9046