The numbers are daunting: “by 2030 the United States will need an additional 3.5 million formal healthcare providers—a 35 percent increase above current levels,” according to a report released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) titled “Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Healthcare Workforce.”
“It’s clear that the nation is not prepared to meet the social or healthcare needs of the Baby Boomer population,” said Richard G. Stefanacci, DO, MGH, MBA, AGSF, CMD, of USP’s Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy.
Dr. Stefanacci, who is the Founding Executive Director of the Health Policy Institute at USP, points to the report data that indicates:
• by 2030, when the last of the baby boomers will have reached 65, approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population will be 65 or older and will exceed 70 million people.
• the number of adults in the U.S. who are older than 85 -- the “old-old” -- is also expected to double, from 4.7 million in 2003 to 9.6 million in 2030, and again, to 20.9 million, in 2050.
These unprecedented demographic shifts require leaders, educators and caregivers with an expertise in geriatric healthcare.
“The IOM has shined a light on a significant problem of a work force shortage that is expected to become a major crisis. USP as a whole is in position to help address aspects of the senior care professionals short fall through its pharmacy, physician assistants, and occupational and physical therapy programs,” Dr. Stefanacci said. “On another front, the University’s newest addition, the Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy, was established with an eye toward producing members of the workforce who can provide leadership in public health, health policy, and business arenas.”
Dr. Stefanacci is available to speak to a variety of topics affecting baby boomers and the workforce reform including:
• enhancing geriatric competences for both formal and informal caregivers at all levels
• developing models of care such as LIFE (living independently for frail elders), SNP (special needs plans), Medical Home among others to utilize our limited resources in a more efficient & effective manner.
If you would like to speak with Dr. Stefanacci about how USP is working to meet the unique needs of older adults, he can be reached at 215-266-7509 or via e-mail at
r.stefan@usp.edu.