By 2030, 20% of the US population will be over the age of 65, totaling more than 70 million people. Currently, more 1.6 million elderly and disabled are served by the nation’s 16 post-acute and long-term care settings (PALTC). Since these numbers will continue to rise, more clinicians are specializing in PALTC. Despite the increasing need in professionals trained to take care of this population, currently:
- Only 3% of medical students take even one class in geriatrics and fewer have rotations in PALTC setting.
- Less than 4% of social workers and phycologists specialize in geriatrics or gerontology.
- Less than 1% of RNs, pharmacists, physician assistants, and physical therapists are certified in geriatrics or gerontology.
- By 2030, 3.5 million additional health care professionals and direct-care workers will be needed to care for our aging society.
Go to https://paltc.org/advocacy to contact your representatives and advocate for post-acute and long-term care patients and providers!