Mobility Medical Supply has recently started to research and examine the senior population in the United States to show trends of adults that are 65 years and older. These baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964 are now a big part of our current older population in America.
Our seniors have given both opportunities and challenges in terms of our economy, and infrastructure.
According to the data we researched from the U.S. Census Bureau, Population projections that by 2034 the older adults will outnumber children for the first time in United States history.
Expectedly after 2030, the United States Population is expected to grow by 79 million people by the year 2060
Table of Contents
Positives Among 65 Years And Older
As we advanced in time technologies have positively affected the education, life expectancy, gender gaps, and poverty rates of senior citizens over the age of 65 and older. Below are some of the benefits we are seeing within the senior population in the United States.
Education level
For those 65 and older in 1965, there was only 5 percent that had a bachelor's degree or more. By 2018 that number rose to 29 percent.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for older Americans is also rising from 68 years in 1950 to 78.6 years of age in 2017. This is partly due to a reduction in the death rate at older ages.
Gender Gap
Gender gap life expectancy is shrinking. In 1990 there was a seven-year gap. 2017 this gap has shrunk down to five years. 76.1y compared to 81.1y
Poverty Rate
The poverty rate has dipped significantly over the past 50 years for people 65 years and older. From the year 1966 to today's poverty rate shows a 30 percent drop.
Challenges Seniors Face In The U.S.
Not everything is positive for seniors that are many challenges seniors face in this time within the United States.
Economic disparities are larger among seniors age 65 and older. Latinos and African Americans live in poverty at a rate of 17 percent of Latinos and 19 percent of African Americans.
Obesity is a problem in adults and over health can be problematic as we get older.
Divorce is up compared to other generations. In 1980 divorced woman that were age 65 and older was only 3 percent. In 2018 this was up to 14 percent.
Nursing home care has been up to because of the baby boom generation and we can see Americans ages 65 and up by more than 50 percent increase that will need during home care.
This number in 2017 was roughly 1.2 million. By 2030 we can see this number reaches 1.9 million.
Population Data and Seniors In The U.S
In 2018 we can see the medium age of the United States population was 38.4. This has steadily has gone up from 1960 when the median age was 29.5 years of age.
65 And Older Population
According to the Census Bureaus 2018 population estimates, there are an estimated 52 million people in the United States that are 65 years or older. Out of all of these people, One-quarter of these seniors lives in three states. Texas, Florida, and California.
As the baby boomers reach retirement age this is projected to be by 2040 we will see this number increase.
Because of this more Americans will be eligible for federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, and reductions in spending and increases.
The below data shows how each state ranks with age 65 years and older by percentof population.
States Ranked By Percent of 65 Year And Older
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Population Estimates
65 Years And Older By Nativity From 1960 to 2060
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1960 to 2000, Decennial Censuses; 2010 American Community Survey; 2020 to 2060, 2017 National Population Projections.
65 Years And Older Native-Born In The United States
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
65 Years And Older in Rural America
In the United States according to the American Community Survey or the ACS data that was surveyed during the 2012 to 2016 years there were 46.5 million older people in the U.S. out of this number 10.6 million lived in areas that we consider to be rural in the United States Census Bureau.
Because the baby boomer generation who were born between the mid-1946 and 1964 started to turn 65 in the year 2011. Most elder people do not live in rural areas.
Mobility Disability in Older Americans
40 percent of the senior population in the United States that is people that are 65 and older had at least one disability. This according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Within the years of 2008 to 2012 of 15.7 million people, two-thirds have reported difficulties either climbing or walking.
These particular figures are very important to forecast strategies to help seniors repair for old-age care.
Important statistics with mobility issues in seniors. Data is from the census.gov website. You can learn more about the data they provide by visiting their site here.
- One-third of seniors that are 85 years or older that have an existing disability live alone, compared to one-fourth of those ages 65 to 74.
- 85 and older senors with disabilities were disproportionately concentrated. This particular group counted for 13.6 percent of the total population. But also accounted for a high 25.4 percent of seniors with a disability.
- Older women have higher disability rates. Senior women that are 65 and older are more likely than men of the same age to have five of the six types of disability that are included in the American Community Survey. A part of this reason is that women also live longer than men.
- Married older people have lower disability rates than those of widowed seniors.
Abuse of Seniors in Nursing Homes And Long-Term Care Facilities
Abuse of elder happens in both provide the setting and institutional settings like long-term care facilities and nursing homes alike. According to our research, it shows that in 2014 there were roughly 1.4 million nursing home residents and 835,200 residential care communities that were abused.
Below highlights some of the findings that are related to abuse in senior nursing homes.
- It should be known that research is showing that abuse of older residents by other long-term care residents is happening and is recognized as an issue that is more common than physical abuse by staff.
- A study by the National Ombudsman Reporting System in the year 2014 shows that out of the 188,599 complaints reported to Ombudsman 14,258 or 7.6 percent involved exploitation, abuse, or gross neglect.
National Center for Health Statistics. (2014). Nursing Home Care; National Center for Health Statistics (2014). Residential Care Communities.