ABSTRACT
I. DEMOGRAPHIC ISSUES In recent years there has been an unprecedented expansion in the numbers of persons reaching advanced age (1). These changes have been most dramatic in industrialized western countries, yet increasing evidence points to the fact that many other countries in Asia and Africa, particularly Japan, will be facing similar and perhaps even more striking demographic challenges in future decades (1). Nevertheless, to date, this phenomenon has been most dramatic and best documented in North America and the countries of Western Europe (1). For example, in 1975, people aged 75 and older represented only 5-6% of the North American population. In contrast, today the percentage has increased to 7% and is expected to increase to 15-18% by the year 2050 (1). It is projected that by the year 2050, the elderly will constitute 23% of the U.S. population (2). European projections are even higher, with a prediction that 25% of the overall European and 35% of the Italian population will be elderly in 2050 (1).
