Three states — Florida, California and Texas — would account for nearly 46% of total U.S. population growth between 2000 and 2030, according to the projections released by the Census Bureau.

13% of the total population, 37.9 million people, was 65 and older in 2007. The number of people 85 and older reached 5.5 million, or 2% of the population.

States with the highest percentages of older people (65 and older) included Florida (17%), West Virginia (15.5%) and Pennsylvania (15.2%). States with the lowest percentages were Alaska (7%), Utah (8.8%) and Georgia (9.9%).

Beginning in 2011, the population 65 and older will grow faster than the total population in every single state.

Caring for our seniors is going to be a huge undertaking over the next 20 years.  Eldercare, Assisted living, nursing homes, medicare, medicaid, medical alert systems will become commonplace topics of conversation among seniors and those who care for them.

Will the new health care system recently passed be able to handle the medical needs of our senior population?
Will medicare and medicaid benefits be cut?
Will doctors begin turning down medicaid patients?

There are certainly many unknown variables on how this is going to play out. One thing is for sure, there are millions of seniors over the age of 65 who cannot afford large increases in health care coverage, expensive assisted living facilities, round the clock eldercare.  Having a home medical alert system is still a very affordable option for many seniors and one that may allow them to remain in there home for a few more years. For seniors, maintaining their independence and peace of mind is something most just do not want to have to give up.

I’m Fine

– by Genevieve Baker — Copyright 1997

_________

There’s nothing whatever the matter with me.
I’m just as healthy as I can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees,
and when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.

My pulse is weak and my blood is thin.
But I’m awfully well, for the shape I’m in.
I think my liver is out of whack,
and a terrible pain is in my back.

My hearing is poor, and my sight is dim.
Most everything seems to be out of trim.
But, I’m awfully well, for the shape I’m in.

I have arch supports for both my feet.
Or I wouldn’t be able to go on the street.
Sleeplessness, I have every night,
And in the morning, I’m just a sight.

My memory is failing, my head is in a spin,
And I’m peacefully living on aspirin.
But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

The moral is, as this tale we unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old,
It’s better to say, “I’m fine” with a grin,
Than to let them know the shape we’re in.

It’s Hard To Grow Old

– by William W. Arbuckle Copyright 1942

The following poem was written by William W. Arbuckle 26 Dec. 1942 while serving in the Air Force in N. Africa.

_____________

Now life’s just a gamble, the experts all say
One brief fling and our wings we all fold
Yet when we’re on the brink
We all seem to think
“Gee, but it’s hard to grow old.”

We drink deep of joy, petty troubles we face
But the biggest one so we are told
Is the fact that we hate
To bow down to fate
And admit that it’s hard to grow old.

In our ‘teens we all meet the girl we adore
And we all try our best her to hold
But one thing we forgot
It’s a startling thought
The fact that it’s hard to grow old

We marry, have children, and reach middle age
And those words stand out ever so bold
We hear them at play
And their cries seem to say
“The folks find it hard to grow old.”

When the family’s grown up, and you’re sitting alone
With a wife whose heart is pure gold
She’s old and she’s gray
But your heart seems to say
“It’s not very hard to grow old.”

So don’t feel too bad, if you look with regret
On the good life you tried hard to mould
Just think of the fun
And the good things you’ve done
And you’ll find that it’s nice to grow old.