ABSTRACT
As noted in the introduction to this volume, the demographics of our population are changing dramatically and we are witnessing very unique demographic transitions. One obvious change is the dramatic increase in the number of people living longer; the proportion of persons over the age of 65 in the world is expected to more than double by 2030 and people in this age cohort will reach about 1 billion. Further, people over the age of 85 now represent the fastest-growing portion of many national populations. It is important to distinguish between younger older adults (aged 65–80 years) and those aged 80+ years. Someone who is in their 60s and 70s is typically very different from someone in their 80s. Further, in some countries, such as the United States, the older population is also becoming ethnically diverse, with the greatest growth occurring in Hispanic populations. One obvious implication is the potential need to accommodate differences in language in work systems and training programs.
