A new study say the population of seniors will more than double in coming years. In 2050, the non-partisan Pew Research Foundation estimates 81 million Americans will be over the age of 64, up from 37 million today. Geriatrician Lora Wiggins of Care Wisconsin says one factor is people are living longer.
Dr. Wiggins believes that health care focuses too heavily on acute disease treatment rather than chronic illness treatment, something the elderly are often affected by. She considers Wisconsin to be a leader in attempting to provide for the poor and frail elderly population. She also says the state has more of its senior population housed in nursing homes, compared to other states.
However, Dr. Wiggins says Governor Doyle has been committed to relocating seniors out of these facilities.
