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_ I <br /> EItIAL_BEEQBI_QP_IEle_ <br /> SIAIE_SQALS_ANQ_EQLIQx_EQABQ_aQ8BA BQUE <br /> QbAEALItl_QABE_tEEQS_QE <br /> QLQFB_AQQLIS <br /> People are living longer today than over before. In addition. the <br /> baby—boom cohort of the 1940s is growing older and will soon swell the <br /> ranks of those over age 65. Between 1980 and 20000 the number of older <br /> adults in North 'Carolina is expected to increase substantially. perhaps <br /> reaching one million. If this occurs, one of every eight North <br /> Carolinians will be sixty—five or older. <br /> Older adults are more likely than younger persons to suffer from <br /> chronic and disabling conditions. Among the most frequent chronic <br /> conditions and impairments for non—institutionalized older adults are <br /> arthritis, which; affects 44% of those over age 65 to some degree; <br /> reduced vision. ;22%; hearing impairment, 29x; heart conditions. 20x; <br /> and hypertension iti 35%. On the average. older persons experience 5.5 <br /> weeks of short—term restricted activity per year. (1) The frequency of <br /> illness and chronic conditions among older persons points to the need <br /> for a continuum of care services to accommodate different and changing <br /> needs for care. 1 <br /> Related to the greater frequency of chronic conditions among older <br /> parsons is their greater utilization of health care services and use of <br /> more intense services. Therefore• the cost of health services for <br /> older adults is generally higher than for the population as a whole. <br /> In recognition of the special and growing health needs of older <br /> adults. the Commission on The Future of North Carolina included the <br /> following goals and recommendations in its final report: <br /> QQAL: T be responsive to the health—care needs <br /> of an aging population. <br /> B#s<QmmgaSIMI4201 Increase incentives to encourage <br /> health personnel to undertake <br /> and/or update training in <br /> geriatric and gerontological <br /> specialties; and insure the <br /> availability of adequate <br /> instruction. <br /> BitommaoSh lonx 'fake the following actions to <br /> insure the provision of <br /> long-term care services to meet <br /> the social and health needs of <br /> the aging population: <br />