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Critical Issues

As we progress into the 21st century, Catawba Area Agency on Aging (Catawba AAA) recognizes that the following issues will challenge the quality of life of our older adults. We realize that the issues are complex and so are the solutions.

Aging Population
In 2000, 35.0 million people 65 years of age and over were counted in the United States. This represents a 12% increase since 1970.

Among the older population, those 85 years and over showed the higest percentage increase.

Caregiving
As the older population increases, the number of seniors needing care is growing. One out of every four persons in the United States is a Caregiver. The goal of Catawba Care Giver Access, the area agency on aging caregiver support program, is to make life better for caregivers by providing community support. Catawba Care Giver Access provides information, counseling, training and limited financial assistance to caregivers of older adults and older adults raising a relative's child under age 19.

Medicare & Social Security
Medicare is a federal health insurance program Congress established in 1965 to reduce the out-of-pocket medical expenses of qualified elderly or disabled persons. Medicare was never intended to cover all health expenses but rather help those who qualify with their medical bills. Typically, Medicare pays about half of the medical costs of participating persons. Seniors need help with the health expenses, such as prescription drugs, eyeglasses, dental care hearing aids and long-term care, that Medicare does not cover.

Many seniors depend on Social Security as a main source on income. For nearly one out of five, it is the only source of income. Without Social Security, more than one-half of America's retirees would live in poverty. Today, Social Security is solvent. But the future of Social Security is in jeopardy because of 1) the expected growth once the baby boomers begin retiring, and 2) the shrinking number of workers per beneficiary.

Long Term Care
The aging of our nation means long term care needs will grow rapidly in this century. The nation's long term care population includes more than 6 million elderly who need assistance daily with basic care needs as the result of chronic conditions such as heart disease. Most people needing long-term care services live at home in the community rather than in institutions.