The VA has long recognized geriatrics as a priority area. The demographic imperative of an aging population impacted the Veterans Health Affairs system earlier than the general healthcare community in the United States.
According to VA, 9.6 million veterans are currently age 65 or older, representing 38 per cent of the total veteran population. By 2030, the proportion of older veterans will increase to 45 per cent of the total. Mirroring the general population, the oldest demographic segment--those age 85 and older--are the fastest growing segment of the veteran population, currently representing three per cent of veterans. Their ranks are expected to double from 764,000 to a peak of 1.4 million between now and 2012.
Older veterans, in contrast to younger veterans,
Use hospital resources 3-4 times more frequently.
Have a greater number of and more complex set of health conditions.
Suffer from more chronic, progressive, degenerative and permanent dysfunction, and have fewer economic and social resources to assist in caregiving.
The GRECCs are "centers of excellence" that are designed to improve health care and quality of life to older veterans through the advancement and integration of research, education and clinical achievements in geriatrics and gerontology into the total VA health care system and broader communities.
|
|
