Documentary Examines Rapidly Aging Population

"Aging in America: Survive or Thrive" is a one-hour documentary on PBS that explores the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly aging population. In 1975, 25 million Americans were over the age of 65; today, that number has more than doubled to 55 million. In just a decade, Americans 65 and older will outnumber those under 18 for the first time.

Fifty years ago, Dr. Robert Butler wrote a visionary, Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Why Survive: Being Old in America. With passion and precision, Dr. Butler warned that neither the public nor private sector had come to grips with the extraordinary change that the country faced as a consequence of the increased population of older persons.

Using Dr. Butler's work as a lens and a guide, the film examines key issues facing the nation as we age. The U.S. healthcare system was built for the acute needs of the young, not the chronic conditions of aging. Economic insecurity is an increasing concern with adults over 50 now representing the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population - a number that could triple by 2030.

Another topic explored is ageism, a word originally coined by Dr. Butler. It is the root cause for many of the difficulties now facing older Americans. The documentary not only identifies critical issues but highlights innovative approaches to address the concerns.

"Aging in America: Survive or Thrive" features renown experts, personal stories, and narrated by Martin Sheen, celebrates the promise of increased longevity while addressing crucial and unprecedented public policy challenges.