The Graying Of America

As the "baby boomer" generation approaches retirement and life expectancy continues to increase, the U.S. finds itself in the midst of a demographic revolution. The senior population is twice what it was in 1960 and is expected to double again over the next thirty years. By the middle of the 21st century, seniors will outnumber children and youth for the first time. Furthermore, the trend is true worldwide. Few other changes are likely to exert …

…life expectancy from 44 to 66 years. In the U.S., the statistics are more striking: in 1876 life expectancy was 40 years old and the median age was 21. Today, the life expectancy of men is 76 years old and for women it is 85 years old. The median age now is almost 40--the same as life expectancy at the turn of the century! One hundred years ago there was no "empty nest syndrome" and very little need to provide c