Baby Boomers: Effect on Health Care Essay

A itch boomer is a person who was born during the demographic foundation War II baby boom and who grew up during the period of 1946-1964. This tribe of Ameri digests allow for soon be over the get along with of 65. When the last of the baby boomers reach retirement age, almost 20% of the U.S. population entrust be 65 and erstwhile(a) comp atomic number 18d to less than 13% today. By 2030, there result be more than 70 million Americans over age 65 (Taylor, 2005). There is a major concern of how this increased population will affect the healthc be system. Medical care for retiring and aging citizens whitethorn strain resources and future contemporariess maybe faced with higher(prenominal) inflation and higher taxes to cover the cost of social security, Medicare, and other retirement benefits (Taylor, 2005). Many state are already feeling the effects with increased cost of premiums, deductibles, and ethical drug medication.At some point this population is going to require h ealthcare. agree to, Giganle (2010), over 60% of adults between the ages of 50 to 64 who are working or has a spouse that is working pee been diagnosed with at least(prenominal) one chronic health condition such(prenominal) as arthritis, cancer, summation disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes. By 2020, Boomers will account for 4 in 10 office visits to physicians. Over the next 20 years, Boomers will make up a greater proportion of hospitalizations as they bonk longer but with multiple complex conditions (Giganle, 2010). Prescription drugs will become a major part of medical treatment and is expected to be a major expense. According to the Congressional Budget Office, spending for programs such as Medicare and Medicaid accounted for 3% each of gross domestic budget in 2009. By 2035, spending for Medicare alone will realize more than threefold to 8% and by 2080 it would have grown to approximately 15% (Peterson, 1999). These generations have different needs and expectation s than past generations.In the past many of the quondam(a) generations were not as concerned about their health and many illnesses and diseases much went undetected. They did not visit the doctor as much. On the other hand, this generation is more concerned about maintaining their health and keep longer and so they visit the doctor frequently. They are making more doctor visits and exploitation more prescription medications. Many of these prescribed medications are clean and real expensive. There is withal cost associated with the number of lab test that are required in order to monitor these medications. People are also living way longer than before, however many of them are living with chronic conditions. The growing number of people with these conditions will also regularise an increase demand on the healthcare system. Medicare cost for those 65 and older may cause the national debt to dramatically increase. This financial increase may eventually cause a reduction of hea lthcare for all.Many healthcare practices are now preparing for the baby boomer generation. Baby boomers will have unsanded technologies and medical services available to help them to live longer. degenerative conditions will create a demand for continuous medical commission in both inpatient and outpatient settings (Peterson, 1999). Some health care providers are preparing themselves as well by looking at the amount of billet they have available for increased amount of patients, training their staff for diversity, and having new technology available for patients to enhance their care. Procedures like minimally invasive surgery, new imaging techniques and remote care technologies will improve the quality of feel for many (Taylor, 2005). These new and advanced technologies would allow them new opportunities. All we can do now is brace ourselves as we prepare for the Gray Tsunami the age wave that will definitely change America.ReferencesGiganle, S. (2010, February 22). How baby boomers will extend to healthcare industry. Retrieved from www.cnbc.comPeterson, P. (1999, April 16). Gray tsunami how the coming age wave will shift america. Retrieved fromwww.infoworld.com/../aging-baby-boomers-will-drive-health-care-Taylor, R. (2005). Baby boomers put hurt on healthcare system. Senior Journal, Retrieved from SeniorJournal.com