The State of Aging in America

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The State of Aging in America
Longevity
Sedentary
Age-related Disability

• Public Health Initiatives
• Medical Technology
• Workplace safety

• Work
• Lifestyle
• Entertainment

1/3 of Seniors
Living longer does not necessarily mean living
well!
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Aging in America The Cost of Disability

• Health care-
• 7 x more expensive
• 26 billion/yr for newly disabled
• Health care costs..will keep rising
• Currently 35 million people are gt 65 yo
• 77 million baby boomers turn 59 this year
• By 2030 they will equal 20 of population

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Reasons for lost independence

• Loss of lean muscle mass (Sarcopenia)- weakness,
  falls
• Loss of bone mineral density- frailty
• Loss of cognitive function- dementia
• Influenced by disease or disuse instead of aging
  alone.
• Disuse is preventable!
• 35 illnesses are directly impacted by activity
• 250,000 deaths per year attributed to Sedentary
  lifestyle
• SeDS- Sedentary Death Syndrome

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Health Care response to disability

Disease treatment
- Prevention
We need a model of Healthy Musculoskeletal Aging!
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The Senior Athlete
Maintains high levels of functional capacity and
quality of life throughout their lifespan.
Etta Clark Photography