Don’t Forget About Us – The Growing Need for an Increased Focus on Geriatric Care

Let’s face it – we are living in a pivotal time in the United States and globally. Political instability has been current, the economy looks to remain stable, and international warfare is prevalent. With new generative technologies widely at use and eventual responsive regulatory changes on the horizon, everyday cultural “isms” and lifestyle may be tweaked along with it.

As we head into this new technological environment, another age group, typically less thought of, should be considered in terms of funding and infrastructural resources: the growing elderly community. The large Baby Boomer population is reaching an age where further healthcare interventions will be required, and Generation-X is not too far behind. A 2024 American Medical Association (AMA) study showed that the percentage of the population over 65 years will increase to 23% in the next 10-30 years, and the number of centenarians (100+ years old) are going to quadruple. As crowded as geriatric wards, nursing homes, retirement communities, and every step in between already are today, the demand for these facilities and services is only going to grow rapidly and maintain an increased threshold during this time horizon.

Since the early 2000s there have been many developments with levels of care for the elderly with clusters and formalized organizations for the management of care facilities, each with founders who have touching stories of the EOL care of their parents and what they hoped would have been in place to improve those toughest moments for their family. This trend continues today and will continue tomorrow, with technologic and infrastructural advancements making many options available to those who need additional comfort, care, and supporting efforts as they head into their final stretch within each diverse financial bracket.

Although younger generations are portrayed as still trying to fully command overall responsibilities of being an adult, this will be a pertinent piece of an evolving society in the next several years. Are the younger generations ready to step up as their parents, or other long-term caretakers, grow older, and could they potentially be involved in their medical care or making decisions for their next phase?

The innovative technology created by Agility MD will be a crucial tool in aiding in the efforts of elderly care. No two elder adult care situations are the same – this technology will allow for simplicity and flexibility in care for the elderly population in any situation they choose, ranging from nursing homes to at-home treatment, and even formalized in-patient care. Due to the current-day burnout rates of board and non-board-certified medical professionals, and the historically smaller rates of medical school graduates choosing gerontology as their specialty, this type of technology could aid in those compensating efforts and extend the lives of loved ones within the elderly care community. Per the 2024 AMA gerontology study, the demand for doctors and nurses specializing in geriatric care will outnumber the supply, in the United States and internationally, as 63.9% of countries globally currently do not have any medical professionals that specialize in care for the elderly.

If you are concerned about caring for yourself or another elderly friend/family member or are an established care facility looking to affordably bolster the technologic resources available to help your patients and residents, the professionals from Agility MD are ready to speak to you about how we can help.