PTINR.com
Aging America
Saturday, September 1, 2007
PTINR.com Staff
The least likely states are expected to show the most rapid growth rate of 65 year citizens and older
The United States Census Bureau predicts dramatic double digit growth of 65 year olds and older within the next 25 years. Florida expects to see the largest increase in elderly population demonstrating a growth of 17% by 2005 but projected to increase by 27% by 2030.
Surprising are the northern states that lead the projection of 65-year old or greater expansion. Among the top 10 fastest growing states in America – 80% of the states are considered ‘northern’ states.
Services for the aging America include: bus service, easy to access medical facilities and medical devices that allow people to remain at home. Home medical monitoring with wireless auto-transmitting technology is arriving as the baby boomers enter retirement age.
Advanced aging means increased stroke risk for the nation’s baby boomers. Increased use of warfarin for stroke prevention is forecasted, predicted to double. Monitoring warfarin (Coumadin ®) will rapidly evolve into home monitoring with transmission of the INR test results to the patient’s physician by way of telephone in real-time and shortly, through wireless transmission.
Home INR monitoring for warfarin supports the trend of more seniors living their lives in the home in which they grew up. More frequent testing and improved time in range enable patients to live their lives free from laboratory visits.
Patients living in northern climates face safety issues with frequent travel to labs. Simple and accurate home monitoring will meet the growing senior population and continue to chip away at the number one cause of adult disability: stroke.