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In a good news bad news scenario, the good news is that the world population is living longer due to improvements in health care. Of concern is who will take care of them and how much it will cost.
As part of the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Aging commissioned a study that was produced by the U.S. Census Bureau, named “An Aging World: 2008.”
The 200-page report produced findings that raise serious concerns about the future of the fastest growing segment of the world’s population.
The findings show that, although Japan has the most baby-boomers, those who were born after World War II, China has the largest population of senior citizens. The report also noted the 80 and over age group was the fastest growing group in many countries.
Who is going to care for our seniors?
An interesting finding that affects the care of the aging is that in 2006, 20 percent of the women in the 40-44 age groups had no biological children. The concern is, historically the younger generation cared for the elderly. Now, because there are fewer children and grandchildren, who will care for the elderly in their later years?
Who will pay for their care?
The other major concern feeding headlines these days is: Who is going to pay for their care? With health care costs skyrocketing, jobs and income decreasing, who will finance the aging of America and the rest of the world?
While medical breakthroughs are applauded, the downside is the cost and concerns raised by a growing army of elders who are expected to live well into their 90s and beyond.
And, can the planet sustain such a growing population? The number of seniors above the age of 65 is expected to double between 2008 and 2040. The study found that within the next 10 years, there would be more people over 65 than children less than 5 years old, in the world.
The rapid aging of the population the world over is an increasing concern to agencies and those who are working to plan for the future needs of the planet and its people. The time clock is ticking as the earths resources struggle to sustain such a rapid growth of humanity.
You can read An Aging World:2008 by clicking this link.
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