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13% of the U.S. population is 65 years or older. In 2030 that percentage will nearly double, to 24%.
Life expectancy has increased significantly. In 1900, it was 47.5 years. In 2006 it is 76 years. The increase has been largely due to infant survival, prevention.
The most rapidly growing segment of our geriatric medicine population is the group of individuals 85 years and older.
Those over 65 years have more than 4 times the number of physician visits and 4-5 times the length of hospital stay as those under 65 years. The elderly (13% of population) account for more than 38% of U.S. health care costs.
Treatment of the geriatric patient