Population aging and the need for long term care: a comparison of the United States and the People's Republic of China

Both developing and major developed countries of the world are facing the global aging of their citizenry. The United States and the People's Republic of China each share in this phenomenon. The rapid growth of their aging populations comes as both countries are experiencing a sustained period of economic stability with an accompanying drop in fertility rates (Coale & Watkins 1986; Dyson & Murphy 1985). Together with longer expected life spans in both countries, these factors have caused a shift in the population structure which will result in increasingly large portions of the population who will potentially require assistance with ADL's and/or long term care (Olson 1990; Kennedy, LaPlante & Kaye 1997). The careful assessment and interpretation of available data to define the actual extent of need should be part of a process to help guide each country as they prepare for the future.