Is Prevention Cost-Effective for Controlling Long-Term Care Costs?
Older adults’ health and well-being are a major focus for governments, communities, and for all who are involved in the care of this rapidly growing population. All indicators point to the significance of lifestyle interventions in successful aging, in both quality and quantity of life, as well as the potential cost-effectiveness of these strategies. In 2008, there were approximately 38.7 million persons age 65 years and older living in the United States. This number is expected to increase to 88.5 million by 2050,1 representing roughly 20% of the U.S. population. For many years now, healthcare costs have been increasing at double the rate of inflation, and reached $2.5 trillion in 2009.2 National healthcare cost per U.S. resident in 1970 was $356, which rose to $2814 in 1990 and is projected to be $13,100 in 2018.3 The healthcare costs for older Americans is also on the rise, as noted in the trend from 1987 to 1999 ($157 billion to $386 billion).4 Increased need for long-term care (LT
