Wagner Dotto, Editor & Publisher, editor@cnyhealth.com

Some people may not know New York is third in the nation in the number of older adults, according to the U.S. Census.

It trails California and Florida as having the most elderly population in the country.

More than 3.4 million New Yorkers were age 60 or older in 2007 of a population of about 19.3 million. The graying of the population can also be seen through a different set of data. Fifty-eight counties (out of 62) saw their median age increase between 2000 and 2007. At the same time, according to the Census, the number of younger people (15-44-year-olds) has decreased in 42 counties.

This brings daunting challenges — and opportunities.

Some of the problems:

• Medicare and Medicaid costs. New York state’s cost of Medicare and Medicaid will continue to rise, creating more problems for a government that already faces a large budget deficit.

• Infra-structure. With a growing aging population, the state will need to handle issues associated with affordable housing that is outfitted to serve the needs of frail and disabled older people; will have to provide more long-term care services, better transportation services and more overall services for the elderly.

• Pressure on healthcare industry. Older people, even when they are healthy, make up the largest block of health service consumers. They are more likely to need personal assistance with everyday activities, which increase with age. The industry will have to be better equipped to handle this surge of older adults.
Some of the opportunities:

• Local spending. The current generation of older people is relatively more affluent than previous ones. They help fuel the economy through their spending.

• Employment. With a large pool of retired people, the job market may benefit from hiring those who are still seeking employment. Employers can have a larger pool from which to hire and in general older workers are more experienced and more reliable.

• Volunteer work. Older people represent a great resource when it comes to volunteer work, and the percentage of those doing that has grown in recent years.

The Census says this graying of the population will only accelerate from now on. By 2030, it says, nearly one in five U.S. residents will be 65 and older. The challenge now is to create more opportunities so that this large segment of the population can continue making a difference.