Summary
The article discusses how the increasing number of elderly people, particularly those over 85, will lead to overcrowded emergency rooms and a shortage of care facilities like nursing homes and assisted living. This situation, known as "boarding," occurs when patients can't be moved out of hospitals due to a lack of available care elsewhere. The growing need for healthcare facilities and professionals is expected to significantly raise costs.
Key Facts
- "Boarding" refers to patients staying longer in hospitals due to lack of available care facilities.
- The population of people over 85 is expected to grow by more than a third in the next decade.
- By 2035, there will be 9 million people over 85, increasing to 12 million by 2050.
- 300,000 more care facility beds are needed by 2030, with a million more needed by 2050.
- The cost of adding these beds is estimated to be $500 billion over the next decade.
- Staffing needs include 200,000 more caregiving professionals in five years and 500,000 by 2050.
- Additional annual salary costs for healthcare workers could reach $45 billion by 2050.
- Immigrant caregivers, essential for elderly care, are decreasing due to current immigration policies.
