State of North Carolina to Prepare for Demographic Shift

Since the population of North Carolina is getting older, state officials have started to prepare for the demographic shift.

Based on census data released last week, state officials could see that between 2000 and 2010, the number of people over the age of 55 increased 40 percent. Overall, the state"s population increased 18 percent. The median age in the state rose from 35.3 to 37.4 as well.

State officials will now start working on ways to keep older residents in their homes longer and give them the health-care they need over time. The aging population is expected to put a serious strain on already overworked programs like Medicare and Social Security in the state. According to Dennis Streets, the director of the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services, 'There is an increased awareness of this issue, and the new numbers will accentuate that.'

A series of meetings will be held over the next few months to discuss these problems and more.

Have questions about social security? Contact our law office to discuss your concerns with a Raleigh social security attorney.

Read Story: http://www.news-record.com/content/2011/05/19/article/north_carolinas_fastest_growing_group_55_and_up