Preparing for the "Silver Wave"

You may have heard of the "Silver Wave," which describes the steady rise in the share of older adults as birth rates decline and life expectancy increases. In 2020, 55.8 million Americans (about 17% of the U.S. population) were age 65 or older, up from 5% in 1920. And by 2030, one in five Americans is projected to be 65 or older.

For hospices, this demographic shift brings both opportunity and challenge. Expect referral volumes to rise sharply. Consequently, hospice teams should prepare for heavier caseloads and more complex symptom-management needs, particularly managing chronic conditions that become more prevalent with age.

Ensuring adequate staffing will demand proactive recruitment, competitive benefits, and continuous training in geriatric and palliative care. Volunteer programs will also need expansion to address social isolation: nearly one-quarter of older adults live alone in rural areas, where the Silver Wave’s impact is especially pronounced.

Operationally, hospices must plan for increased demand on both inpatient beds and home-care capacity. Investing in technologies like remote monitoring and AI-driven documentation systems like Moonset Health can boost efficiency: early adopters report 30–40% reductions in documentation time, freeing clinicians for direct patient interaction. Financial planning is equally critical; as average lengths of stay grow, organizations should collaborate with payers to secure reimbursement rates that reflect longer, more intensive episodes of care.

Not all regions will feel the Silver Wave equally. As of 2022, Maine led the nation with 22.5% of its population aged 65 or older, followed by Florida (21.6%) and Vermont (21.6%)—states where healthcare systems and social services will see outsized demand ([turn0search3]). West Virginia, with over 20% of residents in the same age bracket, and Alaska—where the 65+ population grew by 72% between 2009 and 2019—also warrant special attention. Hospices operating in these states should prioritize capacity planning, workforce expansion, and community partnerships to meet rapidly increasing care needs.

Ultimately, the Silver Wave is reshaping both society and healthcare. By anticipating higher patient volumes, investing in workforce development, leveraging supportive technologies, and tailoring facilities to the unique needs of an aging population, hospices can continue to provide comfort and dignity in life’s final chapter.

Today, many of Moonset Health's customers are hospices in states affected by rising referral demand. Let us help you prepare for the Silver Wave by reducing nurses' documentation time, so you can take care of more patients.