Worldwide a major change in the population demographic
is posing challenges to health care systems. In
many countries the baby boom, that followed World
War II and extended to the 1960s, will soon result in
a substantial increase in the number of people over
65 years of age. Moreover, most countries including
Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom
have experienced a continuing increase in life
expectancy, with an increase of approximately 1 year
occurring every 5 years.