Vulnerable Population - Elderly

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Introduction The elder population within the United States and around the world is increasing daily, and statistics evidence the current trend of continued rapid increase over the coming decades. The phenomenon of aging, despite its natural occurrence, comes with a unique set of challenges within the population that give credence to its vulnerability. The challenges within the elderly population range, along a spectrum, from finances to failing health, and as a result, have had major impact on the health care system. These challenges have also directly impacted the stakeholders in various sectors of the United States health care system, and special adaptations have been made for delivery of care and meeting the needs that the elder population presents. Over the years there have been studies regarding the trending and needs of this vulnerable group, and actual and potential solutions have been implemented to charter the course of care. Description of Elderly Population Elder population can be described as persons 65 years of age and older. In the United States, “approximately 79 million babies were born during the years of 1946 and 1964, a rise over the 1930s and early 1940s from an average of 2.3 to 2.8 million births per year, peaking in 1961 at 4.3 million births”. (W.H.O, 2010). The population trend was due to the large amount of persons born in the two decades after the World War 11, known to the world as “Baby-Boomers”. This population represents the largest aging population around the world, and has forged society to meet its needs because of their bountiful presence. According to the World Health Organization, (W.H.O), “There is a large increase in the proportion of both persons over 65 and persons over 80 in the population in all regions. Japan has the highest proportion of elderly and very elderly; it is projected that by 2050 more than a third of the

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