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13 <br />As the older population grows in age and magnitude, the percentage of <br />disabilities and chronic conditions will increase sharply for both the United <br />States and North Carolina. For the 80+ age group In the United States, <br />almost three-fourths (73.6%) reported at least one disability, over half (57.6%) <br />indicated one or more severe disabilities, and over one-third (34.9%) needed <br />assistance as a result of disability (Figure 4). (AoA, Ref #6) <br />Figure 4: Percent 80 years and Older with Disabilities <br />~s ro. <br />disability disabilities due to disability <br />The economic costs and social impact of this phenomenon on the health care <br />system and society will be catastrophic unless society focuses on chronic <br />diseases through prevention, home health and rehabilitative services rather <br />than merely reimbursing short-term acute care needs. While most older <br />people only see their doctor for a chronic condition, doctors are limited in what <br />they can prescribe for the chronically ill. <br />In 1999, the Administration on Aging reported older Americans (65+) as <br />compared to the under age 65 group, had four times the number of days of <br />hospitalization (1.6 days vs. 0.4 days) and averaged more doctor contacts (6.8 <br />contacts vs. 3.5 contacts). Out~f-pocket health care expenses for older <br />Americans increased to an average of $3,019 in 1999, a rise of more than one <br />third since 1990. As illustrated in Figure 5, these health care costs add up to <br />an average of $1554 (51 %) for insurance, $706 (23%) for medications, $601 <br />(20%) for medical services, and $158 (6%) for medical supplies. Older <br />Americans spend twice as much on total health care (11 % vs 5%) as the rest of <br />the population. (AoA, Ref #6) <br />At least one One or more severe Assistance needed <br />