The Effects of Wyoming’s Aging Population Essay examples

The Effects of Wyoming’s Aging Population Essay examples

The Effects of Wyoming's Aging Population



With new medical technology and improved knowledge about health and wellness, American's life expectancy is longer than ever, with a better expected quality of life as well. Wyoming is the fastest aging state in the country according to the Billing's Gazette. In addition to an already aging state, Wyoming has been named by national publications as a top place of retirement due to its tax structure and climate. In an article from the Wyoming Tribune–Eagle, it is predicted that by the year 2020 Wyoming will have the highest percentage of residents over the age of 65. With the rapidly rising elderly population, Wyoming faces many challenges and difficulties in its future. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...Medicare is a government program and unlike private insurance companies, it must pay the costs of any beneficial medical care. From an example in USA Today, they point out that the type of defibrillator put in Vice President Dick Cheney is expected to become standard care for cardiac patients. The instillation of the defibrillator, which regulates the heart's electrical rhythms, currently cost about $30,000. This is expected to cost Medicare $14 billion by 2015, if only half of those suffering from heart failure received this treatment. This is a major national concern, but due to Wyoming's rapidly aging population, Medicare will also become a major cost to the state.



Economically, Wyoming is not very diverse. The state's economy is unable to absorb a range of young or old workers. Natural resources and mining have been the fastest growing jobs in the state, with an increase of 15.5% according to the Casper Star–Tribune. These jobs require hard physical labor and are unable to provide significant work to an aging population. According to AARP economist Clare Hushbeck, people are choosing to work past the customary retirement age of 65. This is due in part to increased knowledge based jobs instead of hard labor. If Wyoming is able to follow this national shift toward knowledge based work, the aging residents and influx of retirees could possibly benefit the state's economy.



Wyoming lacks a younger population

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