The aging of the baby boom generation and the increase in life expectancy are changing the demographics of American society. Older adults represent a much higher percentage of the population than ever before and it is expected that by 2030, one in five Americans will be eligible for Medicare (Elder Workforce Alliance [EWA], 2012). As Americans live longer, they are also at greater risk of chronic diseases. This change requires attention and analysis of our current healthcare system to better meet the needs of this growing population. Our current healthcare workforce is vastly under-equipped to care for the rapidly aging elderly population. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimates that by 2030, the demand for geriatricians will reach 36,000 (Herdman et al., 2008). There are now approximately 7,000 physicians trained in geriatric care and this number is steadily declining (Herdman et al., 2008). This critical shortage requires immediate action to ensure older adults receive the adequate care they need. It is not enough to delegate care of the elderly to family doctors. Although most family medicine programs serve patients with chronic illnesses, the program is not age specific. People over the age of 75 report an average of three chronic health conditions and use more than 4.5 prescription medications at any given time (Kovner, Meezey, & Harrington, 2002). These confusing comorbidities require a wide range of skills. Qualified geriatricians are able to treat these conditions while keeping in mind the social, psychological and biological changes associated with aging. To prepare for the looming aging crisis, the United States must... middle of paper... ...lization, (Voelker, 2008). PACE addresses three key recommendations from the Elders Workforce Alliance: Combined Medicare/Medicaid funding allows for a 10 percent increase in active-duty workforce payments and additional training and career advancement opportunities resulted in higher turnover an exceptionally low 12% among direct care workers (Hamrick, Kennedy-Malone, & Barba, 2008). Our current healthcare system is already overwhelmed by the influx of elderly patients. If we do not act now to address this shortage, we will put the future health of our aging society at risk. Elder Workforce Alliance urges action to meet federal requirements for geriatric training in all health care professions, positive working conditions for health care providers dedicated to caring for older adults, and an overhaul of models of healthcare delivery to achieve better quality of care for geriatric patients..