Long life has always been considered a blessing. Today, the people of the United States are enjoying the benefit of living much longer than ever before in history. However, there is a flipside to this coin of longevity. The population of the United States is aging at an unprecedented rate. “In 2010, 40 million people age 65 and over accounted for 13 percent of the total population in the United States.” (An Aging Nation) These numbers are expected to double by 2050, with one in every five Americans older than 65. Experts agree that this “Graying of America” will have enormous effects on society. Consequently, society must find ways to adapt to its changes and challenges. The United States experienced an "explosion" of births after World War II. Sociologists refer to this resulting group of people as baby boomers. The first of about 76 million baby boomers recently turned 65, and they are looking forward to a life expectancy that is higher than that of any previous generation. The average life …show more content…
A study by the Center for Disease Control shows that 50% of all disease is life-style related which means that the choices made early in life have a huge impact on how you will age. In fact, one-third of the deaths in the United States are preventable. The key to healthy aging is prevention and it starts now, no matter how old a person is. Simply eating a healthy diet, exercise, and not smoking prevents a surprising amount of physical and mental disabilities and diseases. “Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, which can contribute to memory loss.” (Aging: What to Expect) Protecting the ears and eyes, and getting preventative screenings for cancer and heart problems are a great way to age well. For seniors who already have chronic age-related diseases, assistive devices can help people perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible for them to