Healthy Aging in the U.S.

It is well known that the population of the U.S. is aging, as is the population of Canada, its North American neighbor, and, indeed, as are all populations worldwide (Takamura, 2007). In 2000, 12.6% of the population of North America (the U.S. and Canada) was aged 65 and older, and this is expected to increase to 20.3% in 2030. This compares to an increase among European older adults from 14.0% to 23.1% over the same 30-year period. And, in Asia, from 2000 to 2030, the percentage of older adults is expected to increase from 5.9% to 11.9%.