Demographics
The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050 (a 47% increase), and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population is projected to rise from 17% to 23%. The U.S population is older today than it has ever been, and the following subjects will be relevant for years to come.
Assisted Living
There are over 30,000 assisted living communities with nearly 1.2 million licensed beds in the U.S. Of these, 56% are chain affiliated (part of organizations managing at least 2 communities). These are private businesses, health care institutions, operating with no federal oversight. The states might have regulations, but they vary, and they are not impressive. Because our population is aging, industry observers predict shortages of elder care beds. Assisted living is a loosely regulated business and profit motives will continue driving decisions to increase supply. We have to educate ourselves and others. We have to work to ensure that affordable communities and safe environments are created for the elderly.
Pandemic effects
Post-pandemic policies and restrictions, plus a workforce shortage, have redefined the assisted living business model. Growing participation by real estate investment trusts and private equity funds is moving ownership and organizational control farther from local facilities, residents, and family decision-makers. The time has come for both state and federal review of assisted living funding, development, and regulations.
Hospice
Medicare determines how hospice agencies assess patients and monitors evaluations to predict whether service recipients are near the end of life. Some hospice recipients live longer. One was the author’s mother. When she was 99-and-a-half years old, a hospice physician determined she was not dying soon enough. She lost all hospice support, and the author felt abandoned, along with the patient.
