Although only one in twenty-five Americans was over the age of 65 at the turn of the last century, one in eight are at least that old today. Older Americans will be increasingly diverse in coming decades. But the biggest increases in the elderly population will continue to be among the oldest Americans. The number of over-65 Americans doubled in the same period. But the over-85 crowd has almost quadrupled in the same period.
Women live longer than men and so make up a majority of the elderly.
And women are more likely than men to require assistance with activities of daily living, and to live in nursing homes. As the population ages, demands for nursing care and nursing home placements should be expected to increase, both in absolute terms and as a proportion of all health care needs and spending. The patient's court-appointed guardian agrees. Our corporate policy seems to require that someone secure Court approval before the orders can be entered. Under Arizona law, a guardian has the power to make medical decisions for her ward, including the power to sign necessary consents and authorizations.