When Does Old Age Begin?

The diversity of answers to the Pew survey likely reflects the diversity of our population and how we view aging. What we do know right now is that we are not yet able to prevent the common syndromes – like loss of bladder control, difficulty with gait and balance, and memory loss – that contributes to the burden of older adults. We can also predict that older adults who live into their mid-70s are likely to suffer from one or more common diseases of aging such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or some form of cardiovascular disease. The congruence among respondents – that someone is old when s/he turns 85 (79 percent) or can no longer live independently (76 percent) – mirrors the thinking from members of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) about the ways in which older persons benefit when cared for by a geriatrician.

Geriatricians are those physicians with special training in care of older adults. In a recent survey of geriatricians who are members of the AGS, we found that 75 percent of our physician members chose the same groups that would benefit from care by a geriatrician. The patients selected were older than 85, had severe functional impairments, complex biomedical programs, were frail, or had geriatric syndromes. Geriatrics, with its emphasis on care management and care coordination, helps older people maintain functional independence in performing daily activities and improve their overall quality of life.

Alarmingly, the United States is facing a shortage of geriatricians. According to data from our AGS Geriatrics Workforce Policy Studies Center, there are less than 7,500 certified geriatricians in the United States – less than half the number needed to care for the almost 11 million older adults who are frail and in need of their care. By 2030, when we estimate there will be 21 million Americans in need of a geriatrician, the demand, given current recruitment trends – will far exceed the available supply.

Given our increasing longevity, Americans should take their potential future medical needs into account when planning for retirement – including the likely possibility that they will need care from someone who is especially trained to provide that care. For this reason, AGS works together with leaders and lawmakers to raise awareness and offer potential solutions to pressing problems in elder health care – such as the growing shortage of geriatrics health care professionals and Medicare financing and reimbursement problems.

To learn more about the geriatrician shortage visit the AGS’ Web site at www.americangeriatrics.org. Through our Foundation for Health in Aging (www.healthinaging.org), we offer resources and materials for patients and their families.

Nancy Lundebjerg

Deputy Executive Vice President & COO for the AGS

Nancy Lundebjerg of NY 12:29PM July 15, 2009

When I was 41, I pulled out in front of a college kid. She yelled at me "Get out of the way, you Old Geezer". Shock, boy was that shock. I had no gray hair. I then learned it is a tough world. When I was 22 through age 35, I was carded for buying liquor.

Today, I have gray hair, about 25 pounds over my optimum weight and get up in the morning stiff. I think I am aging but still look at girls in bikini's. Still make my heart patter but not much I could do about what I think about.

The financial mess has affected our family, not so much a normal recession or correction, but the Graft, Greed, and Fraud that has taken place with the help of our elected officials. The banks and Wall Street have influenced the judgement of our elected officials with money. Money that our incumbent elected officials use, about 7 million dollars to get re-elected against good challengers that are lucky to raise $250 thousand dollars. And those who are benefiting from this huge re-election war chest will not vote for election reform to make the playing field level.

This happened in our lifetime, since the early 80's, when millions of dollars was poured into an aging US Senator so he could fight a challenger on TV and he got re-elected.

The Fraud, the laws passed in favor of Financial Institutions from Banks, to Credit Card Companies, and Wall Street is killing this country and my ability to retire.

Next year I will reach full retirement age, and still working.

I have no confidence in our government. The cost of health care is killing us. All because of the money being poured into our governemnt and media, like Rush Limbaugh who is paid $38 million a year, for three hours a day, spouting the benefits of having Banks, Corporations, and Healthcare for Profit to his listeners distorting the realities of what is going on in our country.

We better take back this country and do it soon. Have you noticed that the bonuses of Goldman Sach's ($700,000 per employee) has faded from view in the media?

When it comes to old age, I will probably die, on the job thanks to our Government.

Mike of UT 7:01AM July 09, 2009

I am 70, look 55, and feel like 45. I have great health, stamina and look great, play golf, run on the treadmill, etc. Old age is more a state of being than chronology. You are old when you need someone to take care of your needs, whatever the number of years you've attained.

Carol of NJ 5:48PM July 08, 2009

Age (unfortunately) is defined by how OTHERS perceive us. We can think & feel what we want ala wishful thinking. If you have & wrinkles/lines regardless of health issues or having grandchildren - you are old, Case Closed. gray hair does not necessarily mean one is OLD... The world is today is FULL of Botox & Silicone injections to "fix" old age as OTHERS perceive it so that we can continue to work, compete & thrive in the work force.

Ria Gant of LA 1:56PM July 08, 2009