The Consequences of an Aging Population

The Consequences of an Aging Population

An ageing population is when a country has a high number of elderly

people. Elderly people are economically dependent and they depend on

working people to provide for them. More money has to be therefore

created to fund hospitals, nursing homes etc. This money has to be

provided for by the economically dependent population. Examples of

where there is an ageing population is Australia, Japan and the U.K

This is a table, which shows the change in people over 65.

Year

Total

65-79

80+

1991

57,800

6,900

2,300

2001

59,800

6,600

2,400

2011

61,300

7,400

3,100

2021

62,100)

8,700

3,100

2041

61,600

11,100

5,500

Consequence 1: changes in dental care

Country: U.K

The Ageing population will have an effect on dental service and impact

on training and skills required. There will be a greater number of

elderly patients who will need complex restorations to ensure they

retain many of their natural teeth. Conditions such as root cavity and

dry mouth will continue to be the most common although new clinical

technologies need to be created to prevent and teat them. Dental teams

will be providing oral healthcare to a larger number of older patients

with a range of complex needs in which they will need the right

training and experience.

As well as changing clinical needs older people will have increasing

expectations about retaining good oral health and appearance in old

age, and will have many resources to take advances in cosmetic

procedures. This in turn will mean that there will be a greater

awareness of these procedures to the larger consumer public.

Consequence 2: Change in spending for health care costs.

Country: Australia

As can be expected, an ageing population means a better healthcare

service is need to provide for the growing numbers of elderly people.