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15 <br />The older person living alone (OLA) is more likely to need home and <br />community-based services. Compared to the older population in general, <br />research has shown that OLAs are more likely to: <br />(1) have inadequate diets and poor nutrition, <br />(2) rely on formal paid services for assistance, <br />(3) be more socially isolated and at greater risk of mental health problems, <br />(4) be functionally disabled, <br />(5) be at greater risk for nursing home admission, and <br />(6) be more reliant on public support for nursing home care, particularly from <br />the Medicaid program. (AOA, Ref #9) <br />5. Never before in history have we seen such a large and growing number <br />of retirees who are a major human resource. <br />The future Baby Boomers will likely place more demands on the health and <br />retirement systems between 2010 and 2030 when they have passed age 65. <br />They will also be a major human resource with skills and talents that can be <br />utilized by society. <br />In 2030, approximately 1.5 million Boomers will be living in North Carolina. <br />Compared to North Carolina's older persons today, aging N.C. Baby Boomers <br />are predicted to: <br />• Be a larger and more diverse population; <br />• Be better-educated; <br />• Have had higher incomes, <br />• Be the largest group of consumers, <br />• Be less likely to exercise vigorously and regularly, <br />• Experience lower rates of illness and impairment in their later years, <br />• Be likely to do volunteer work and give to charities, <br />• Remain in the work force for a longer period of time. <br />(NCDOA, 1997, Ref #12) <br />Issues and problem areas that will become exacerbated with the future Baby <br />Boomers are listed below: <br />1. Inadequate health care work force to meet today's and tomorrow's <br />demands, even thou4h older adults may have the resources to pay for <br />them. <br />• Turnover rates for Certified Nurses Aides (CNA) in Adult Care Homes <br />& Nursing Homes in N.C. (Currently,140% average annual turnover <br />rate in Adult Care Homes and 100% average annual turnover rate in <br />Nursing Homes.) <br />• Staffing problems for home care agencies. <br />• Low numbers of nursing students. <br />