Statistical trends relating to aging, and long-term care.
According to the AARP, approximately 90 percent of the 41.5 million Americans over the age of 60 are hoping to stay in their home as they age. The increasing desire for home-care has dramatically increased the options available for selecting a home service and a live-in caregiver.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population age 65 and older is projected to double between 2000 and 2050.
According to the Canadian 2006 Census, the number of people aged 65 and over increased by more than 446,700 compared with 2001 (+11.5%), topping the 4 million mark for the first time (4.3 million). This is nearly four times as many seniors as in the first quinquennial census in 1956.
Industry research indicates that 86 percent of seniors want to continue living in their homes as they age.
Studies from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Labor indicate that by 2050, the number of individuals using paid long-term care services in any setting (e.g., at home, residential care such as assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities) will likely double from the 13 million using services in 2000, to 27 million people. This estimate is influenced by growth in the population of older people in need of care.
The AARP Public Policy Institute reports that the delivery of home or community-based long-term care services is a cost-effective alternative to nursing homes. Care in the home or community—not nursing home care—is what most Americans would prefer.
Add comment March 14th, 2009
