Vocabulary

Try to guess what these words mean from reading the article.
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New words you will see in this article:

baby boomer(s)
chronic
crisis
decline(s)
expectancy
flu
gap
hypertension
kidney
mortality
peak
pneumonia
respiratory
sociology
speculation
statistic(ally)
suicide

1. What is the life expectancy rate in your country? For men / women?

2. As people live longer, what difficulties do they face?

3. What challenges must society face when dealing with a growing elderly population?

4. Who has the primary responsibility to care for senior citizens?

5. Who will take care of your parents (or grandparents) when they can no longer care for themselves?

For Additional Practice

Pretend you are over 80 years old. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
of living alone (in contrast to living with your children or in a nursing home).