Cleveland, Ohio (PRWEB) January 05, 2012
The fastest growing segment of our population is the 85 and older group. By 2030 the number of people aged 65+ is expected to rise by 101% bringing their numbers to 72.1 million. In contrast, the number of family members available to provide care for this large population is expected to increase by only 25%. Approximately two million caregivers are needed now and at least that many more will be needed in the next twenty years.
The impressive increase in life expectancy (which was just 49 at the turn of the 20th century according to a 2006 CRS Report for Congress) brings a new onset of challenges. As we age, conditions for chronic illnesses worsen making care providing more difficult and stressful. In 2002, more than one quarter (26.6%) of the adult population provided care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend. This translates to more than 50 million people involved in caregiving.
?At home caregiving is becoming increasingly more difficult for family members,? says Dr. Cathleen Carr, Founder and Executive Director of CertifiedCare. ?With lack of training and expertise, it can even be dangerous. The exploding numbers in the elderly population and the increased difficulties in caring for them means that the demand for caregivers is expected and needed to increase.?
There are several trends that are emerging due to this massive growth in the elderly population:
1)
