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Aging Population In America Essay

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Aging Population In America Essay
The United States population is aging at an unprecedented rate. By 2030, the numbers of Americans who are 65 or older will more than double to one in every five Americans. Experts agree that this “graying of America” will have an immense impact on our society, and society must adapt to its’ changes and challenges.

The United States experienced an "explosion" of births after World War II and sociologist refer to this resulting group of people as baby boomers. The first of about 76 million baby boomers recently turned 65 and they are looking forward to a life expectancy that is higher than that of any previous generation. The average life expectancy in the 1900s in our country was only 47 years old? Today it is a whopping 37-year increase to 78, which is the biggest increase in all of recorded history. According to the CDC, people are living to be older than they ever have due to better nutrition and healthcare. Because of this dramatic growth in both the number and percentage of older adults, the CDC has made improving the health status and addressing the health needs of this age group one of its top agency priorities. …show more content…
Arthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints, can be a severely crippling ailment to people who want to enjoy an active life. Cataracts is also a more common disease among older people, which impairs eyesight. Diabetes is a common fear of seniors, which has a variety of symptoms, including loss of sensation. Diminishing mental health is also a major potential problem of aging. There are currently 5.3 million Americans suffering from dementia and the numbers are expected to quadruple as the baby boomers age. Alzheimer’s is one important form of dementia. Treating it costs billions of dollars each year and takes a tremendous emotional toll on the families it impacts. Also, many seniors suffer from depression, and have the highest suicide rate among the age
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