ABSTRACT
The population is aging at an unprecedented rate in both developed and developing countries. By 2030 there will be about 72 million people over the age of 65 in the United States who will represent about 20% of the population. Also, the older population itself is aging; in the coming decades there will be a large number of people aged 85 and older who represent the oldest old (Figure 13.1). According to U.S. projections, the number of people in this age group could increase to 19 million by 2050 and will represent 35% of the older population by 2040 (Federal Agency Forum on Aging Related Statistics, 2010). The number of centenarians is also growing.
