The US population is older today than it has ever been, but our medical system remains frustratingly untrained and unprepared for the surge of seniors. That’s what Dr. Nick Schneeman, Lifespark Chief Medical Officer, had to say in an article in Medical Economics.
One in six Americans is over the age of 65, and the silver tsunami of aging boomers hasn’t even crested yet – the number of seniors is projected to grow 47%, to 82 million, in the next 25 years. For the first time in history, the number of people 65 and older is about to exceed the number of children under age 18.
Despite the rapidly aging population, the number of geriatricians has plummeted by 25% in the past 25 years. To take care of our seniors, the US now has just 7,400 board-certified geriatric doctors, or about one-eighth the number of pediatricians.
While he opines on this important topic, there are a few other key takeaways:
- The US population is aging rapidly, with seniors projected to grow by 47% in 25 years, surpassing the number of children.
- Geriatricians are in short supply, with only 7,400 board-certified specialists, highlighting a significant gap in senior healthcare expertise.
- Limited geriatric training in medical schools contributes to fragmented care, with seniors often seeing multiple specialists and taking numerous medications.
- Increasing geriatric training for all medical professionals is crucial to address the growing demand for senior healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
How does Dr. Nick think we should address these key takeaways? Read on for the full story…
