Caring for the elderly is quickly emerging as the next significant challenge facing our healthcare system as baby boomers age
and place greater demands on health services. When combined with an overall increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes, the strain on available healthcare resources as boomers become elderly will become increasingly difficult to address, as there will be many more people with complex health issues. Even now, the trend of what lies ahead is beginning to emerge, as increasing numbers of the elderly are living longer both as a result of improved health technology and public health education, for example the anti-smoking campaign. However, although many are living longer, they are also frail physically and require higher levels of support.