In comparing the percent of persons age 65 or older with other counties in the region, it is evident that the Lorain County population has not yet begun to age as have other counties in the region. In 1994, approximately 33,500 Lorain County residents were eligible for Medicare. Because Medicare is a federally administered program, it was difficult to determine enrollment and expenditure data at the county level. There are however, important implications for the aging population in Lorain County when both Medicare and Medicaid are considered.
Health care needs increase as a person ages.
With reduced rates of spending for Medicaid and Medicare, Lorain County will have to find new ways to address long-term care. This is likely to be especially challenging with an aging population.