ABSTRACT
Since 1990, the U.S. population over the age of 65 years has been growing rapidly in both
absolute and relative numbers. Currently, 36.8 million individuals are over 65 years of
age. By 2010, when the first of the baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964)
reach 65, there will be 40 million people aged 65 years or older. By 2030, when the last of
the baby boomers reach 65, the number of individuals aged 65 years or older is projected
to reach 70 million. Moreover, the elderly are living longer. In 1900, at age 65, 13% of
men and 16% of women could expect to live to age 85 years. By 1992, these percentages
were 30% and 50%, respectively. As the baby boomers age, the percentage of the
population aged 85 years or older will grow from the current level of 1.4% to 2.4% in
2030 and to 4.6% in the year 2050. Octogenarians are, in fact, the fastest growing segment
of the population in the United States (Table 1) (1,2).
