Historical census data has shown that in the U.S. in 1900, 100,000 people were age 85 and over. In the year 2000, this age group numbered 4,239,587. In 2020, the number will be 6.5 million, and in 2050, it will have grown to 17,970,000!
Clearly, people are living longer today, in greater numbers, than they ever have (disregarding Methuselah of course!) throughout recorded history. Our medical care providers have succeeded in keeping us alive for much longer than they have in the past. As wonderful as this medical technology is, it has not come without costs. With that longevity comes a host of other problems.
A recent 
An April 2008 Study of long-term care (LTC) costs for the elderly in United States, published by Genworth Financial, highlights a growing concern for seniors and their family members. According to this study, the national average for the cost of nursing home care is approximately $76,460 per year, which is more than 150% of the average annual income of American households.
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