IN SR0068

Urges the Legislative Council to assign a study committee to examine ways to increase the number of geriatricians and related healthcare professionals in Indiana

Notes that approximately 80% of older adults require care for chronic conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, and heart disease

Identifies critical shortage of geriatric specialists: fewer than 1,600 geriatric psychiatrists, less than 1% of registered nurses and pharmacists certified in geriatrics, and approximately 2.6% of advance practice registered nurses with geriatric certification

Projects that approximately 30,000 geriatricians will be needed by 2030, requiring training of approximately 1,200 geriatricians per year over the next 20 years

Emphasizes that Indiana's population over age 65 is expected to double between 2000 and 2030, while the number of medical residents entering geriatric fellowship programs declined from 112 in 2005 to 75 in 2010