Aging isn't what it used to be. According to the National Institutes of Aging and U.S. Census Bureau report, 65+ in the United States: 2005, today's seniors are very different from previous generations.

The average life expectancy increased from 47.3 years in 1900 to 76.9 in 2000. By 2011, people over the age of 65 will represent 20 percent of the U.S. population.

But as the overall health of older Americans improved (disability statistics fell from 26.2 percent in 1982 to 19.7 percent in 1999), many still suffer from chronic conditions. In the 2000 census, 14 million Americans age 65 and older reported some level of disability.

About 80 percent of seniors said they have at least one chronic health condition and 50 percent have two. Arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory disorders lead the list.

UI Hospitals and Clinics' Geriatric Health Assessment Clinic uses a team approach to provide a comprehensive evaluation and tailored treatment program for older adults with a variety of conditions, says Jason Wilbur, MD, UI Hospitals and Clinics geriatric medicine specialist.

"The clinic provides consultation and ongoing care to patients with diseases, like dementia, which are more often seen in older adults. The geriatric specialists consider the person's health history, medications, diet, support systems, daily functioning, and mood."

For more information about the clinic or to schedule an appointment, call 319-384-7222.