U.S. Demographics
This assignment discusses the current U.S. Demographics, the influence the demographics will have on nursing, and how nursing will be able to meet the challenges of a large group of aging citizens.
Current U.S. Demographics
According to the United States Census Bureau the current U.S. demographics includes a population estimate total of 321,418,820 for the entire United States. Within the total population estimate, 50.8% is female, 6.2% is less than 5 years old, 23.1% is less than 18 years old, and 14.5% is 65 years or older. In addition, the population by race includes 77.4% for Whites, 17.4% for Hispanic or Latinos, 13.2% for African Americans, 5.4% for Asians, 1.2% for American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and 0.2% for Native Hawaiian or Islander (United States Census Bureau, 2015). This demonstrates a large population total and a diverse range of individuals. The demographics of aging include increased numbers of age, increased life expectancy, and decreased birth rate. For example, those who are 85 years and older are said to triple in quantity from 5.4 million to 19 million between 2000 and 2010. Life expectancy at 65 years has increased by 4.7 years from 1960 to 2006, and individuals reaching the age of 65 can expect and additional 19 years. The birth rate and decline in death rate have declined since the 1960’s and if the trends were to continue, the older populations will increase significantly and take precedence by 2030 (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). Furthermore, the death rates in both males and females has diminished significantly in the last few years, however, the top five leading causes of death for individuals 65 years and older continue to be (a) diseases of the heart, (b) malignant neoplasm, (c) cerebrovascular disease, (d), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and (e) pneumonia and flu (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). The increase in numbers of age and life expectancy, and decrease in birth rate and death rate are due to the advancements in modern technology and medicine. Global demographics of aging indicate rapid growth in number and proportion. For instance, Asia’s population of individuals 60 years and older has increased in number from 95 million in 1950 to 322 million in 2000, making Asia the nation with the fastest growing rate of population (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). In addition, Japan’s population of individuals 65 years has the highest life expectancy rate than any other country for both females and males at 22.0 and 17.1 (Williams & Torrens, 2008). Furthermore, the U.S. has the highest population of individuals aged 65 years and older with a total of 43 million in 2012, and an expected increase to 83 million by 2050. Japan is a close second with a total of 30 …show more content…
For example, the number of registered nurses is said to be at a shortage, however, the RN workforce is said to have increased by 24.1%, and the impact of the nursing shortage has led to reduced turnover and job prospects. In addition, with the increasing health care costs, the government is encouraging the use of value based purchasing programs and mandatory public recording of processes and outcomes. In turn, the nurses provide better delivery of care for patients at lower costs (Buchan, Twigg, Dussault, Duffield, & Stone, …show more content…
There is an increase in the numbers of age, increase in life expectancy, and decrease in birth rate. This is all due to advancements in modern technology and medicine (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). Due to an increasing aging population, there will be an increase in demand for nurses in long-term care or home health care (Eliopoulos, 2014); and the nurses will also need to become more aware and prepared for the increasing aging population (Colby & Ortman, 2014). There are also challenges associated with a large aging population such as nursing shortage and health care costs. However, there has been an increase in the RN workforce by 24.1% and the use of value based purchasing programs and mandatory public recording of processes and outcomes has led nurses to provide better delivery of care at a lower cost (Buchan, Twigg, Dussault, Duffield, & Stone, 2015). In addition, there is concern with the provision and payment of services; however, the nurses can become involved in the policy making and discussions of services, and use cost effective methods of care delivery (Eliopoulos, 2014). Thus, ensuring the well being/ treatment of the aging
This assignment discusses the current U.S. Demographics, the influence the demographics will have on nursing, and how nursing will be able to meet the challenges of a large group of aging citizens.
Current U.S. Demographics
According to the United States Census Bureau the current U.S. demographics includes a population estimate total of 321,418,820 for the entire United States. Within the total population estimate, 50.8% is female, 6.2% is less than 5 years old, 23.1% is less than 18 years old, and 14.5% is 65 years or older. In addition, the population by race includes 77.4% for Whites, 17.4% for Hispanic or Latinos, 13.2% for African Americans, 5.4% for Asians, 1.2% for American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and 0.2% for Native Hawaiian or Islander (United States Census Bureau, 2015). This demonstrates a large population total and a diverse range of individuals. The demographics of aging include increased numbers of age, increased life expectancy, and decreased birth rate. For example, those who are 85 years and older are said to triple in quantity from 5.4 million to 19 million between 2000 and 2010. Life expectancy at 65 years has increased by 4.7 years from 1960 to 2006, and individuals reaching the age of 65 can expect and additional 19 years. The birth rate and decline in death rate have declined since the 1960’s and if the trends were to continue, the older populations will increase significantly and take precedence by 2030 (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). Furthermore, the death rates in both males and females has diminished significantly in the last few years, however, the top five leading causes of death for individuals 65 years and older continue to be (a) diseases of the heart, (b) malignant neoplasm, (c) cerebrovascular disease, (d), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and (e) pneumonia and flu (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). The increase in numbers of age and life expectancy, and decrease in birth rate and death rate are due to the advancements in modern technology and medicine. Global demographics of aging indicate rapid growth in number and proportion. For instance, Asia’s population of individuals 60 years and older has increased in number from 95 million in 1950 to 322 million in 2000, making Asia the nation with the fastest growing rate of population (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). In addition, Japan’s population of individuals 65 years has the highest life expectancy rate than any other country for both females and males at 22.0 and 17.1 (Williams & Torrens, 2008). Furthermore, the U.S. has the highest population of individuals aged 65 years and older with a total of 43 million in 2012, and an expected increase to 83 million by 2050. Japan is a close second with a total of 30 …show more content…
For example, the number of registered nurses is said to be at a shortage, however, the RN workforce is said to have increased by 24.1%, and the impact of the nursing shortage has led to reduced turnover and job prospects. In addition, with the increasing health care costs, the government is encouraging the use of value based purchasing programs and mandatory public recording of processes and outcomes. In turn, the nurses provide better delivery of care for patients at lower costs (Buchan, Twigg, Dussault, Duffield, & Stone, …show more content…
There is an increase in the numbers of age, increase in life expectancy, and decrease in birth rate. This is all due to advancements in modern technology and medicine (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). Due to an increasing aging population, there will be an increase in demand for nurses in long-term care or home health care (Eliopoulos, 2014); and the nurses will also need to become more aware and prepared for the increasing aging population (Colby & Ortman, 2014). There are also challenges associated with a large aging population such as nursing shortage and health care costs. However, there has been an increase in the RN workforce by 24.1% and the use of value based purchasing programs and mandatory public recording of processes and outcomes has led nurses to provide better delivery of care at a lower cost (Buchan, Twigg, Dussault, Duffield, & Stone, 2015). In addition, there is concern with the provision and payment of services; however, the nurses can become involved in the policy making and discussions of services, and use cost effective methods of care delivery (Eliopoulos, 2014). Thus, ensuring the well being/ treatment of the aging