Silver Book

Aging Nation  /  Today's Older Population

Every day, 10,000 Americans celebrate their 65th birthday. While the U.S. is experiencing a longevity revolution, at the same time our aging nation is triggering a Silver Tsunami of chronic age-related disease that bring with it increased national health care spending, high rates of morbidity and mortality, and declines in quality of life.

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    • Tobacco smoking as a major risk factor
      Worldwide, tobacco smoking (including second-hand smoke) was 1 of the top 3 leading risk factors for disease and contributed to an estimated 6.2 million deaths in 2010.  
    • Disability Increases with Age
      Disability increases with age. In 2014, 42 percent of people age 85 and over reported any disability, compared with 17 percent of people ages 65–74. People age 85 and over…  
    • Increase in seniors a risk for hunger, 2001-2013
      The proportion of the older population who are at risk for hunger has increased by 45% since 2001.  
    • Threat of hunger for older Americans
      There are 9.6 million older adults in the United States who are at risk for hunger.  
    • Suicide rates among older population
      Adults 85 and over have a higher suicide rate than any other population.  
    • Mental health treatment for older adults
      Only one third of the older population with mental issues receives necessary treatment.  
    • Number of older adults who experience depression
      About 7 million older adults experience depression.  
    • Mental disorders among older adults
      Currently, 25 percent of older Americans experience depression, anxiety, dementia, or other mental disorders. By 2030, the number is expected to double.  
    • Falls among older adults
      An older adults suffers a fall that requires an emergency room visit every 15 seconds. Every 29 minutes, an older American dies as a result of a fall.  
    • Chronic diseases among older adults
      Of the total older adult population over 90 percent have a chronic disease (i.e. heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes), and more than 75 percent have two or more.  
    • Disabilities among older adults
      Of people aged 65 and over, 36 percent reported having some sort of disability (i.e. difficulty hearing, vision, cognition, ambulation, self-care, or independent living).  
    • Older adults covered by Medicare
      93 percent of older adults were covered by Medicare in 2013.  
    • Distribution of health care costs for older adults, 2013
      In 2013, the majority of health care costs for older adults went towards insurance, followed by medical services, drugs, and medical supplies.  
    • Older adults’ health expenditures
      More than 12 percent of older adults’ expenditures are spent on health.  
    • Medical expenditures of older Americans, 2013
      The average out-of-pocket cost for health care expenditures for older Americans in 2013 was $5,069.  
    • Hospital stays for older Americans, 2012
      There were 6.8 million older Americans who had at least one overnight stay in a hospital in 2012.  
    • Physical activity in older adults
      More than 40 percent of older adults aged 65-74 engage in regular leisure-time physical activity, while only 27 percent of older adults aged 75+ reported doing so.  
    • Percent of older Americans who are obese
      Almost 30 percent of older Americans were classified as obese in 2014 (according to height and weight self-reports).  
    • Flu vaccines among older adults
      Between January and June of 2014, 71% of older Americans reported that they had received a flu vaccine in the past year.  
    • Common medical conditions in older Americans
      The most common medical condition among older Americans between 2011 and 2013 was diagnosed arthritis, followed by heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.  
    • Chronic conditions in today’s older adults
      Most Americans aged 65 and older experience at least chronic condition.  
    • Health ratings of older Americans, 2013
      In 2013, 43 percent of older Americans rated their health as excellent or very good.  
    • Percent increase in population 65+, 2003-2013
       
    • Labor force participation by older women
      In 2014, over 9 percent of women aged 65+ were in the labor force.  
    • Labor force participation by older men
      In 2014, over 20 percent of men 65+ were in the labor force.  
    • Persons 65+ as a percentage of total population by state, 2013
       
    • Older adults as percentage of U.S. labor force
      In 2014, older adults represented 5% of America’s labor force.  
    • Older adults in labor force, 2014
      There were 8.4 million older adults in the labor force in 2014, 4.6 million of whom were men, and 3.8 million of whom were women.  
    • Older adults living outside of metropolitan areas, 2013
      In 2013, about 20 percent of older Americans did not live in metropolitan areas.  
    • Number of older adults in cities, 2013
      In 2013, about 80 percent of older adults resided in metropolitan areas.  
    • Location of older adults, 2013
      In 2013, more than 60 percent of older adults lived in just 13 states: California, Florida, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia, and…  
    • Growth of 100+ population since 1980
      Since 1980, the percentage of adults aged 100+ has increased at a faster rate than the entire population, growing from 32,194 people to 67,347 people.  
    • Increase in older population between 2012 and 2013
      Between 2012 and 2013, there was a 1.6 million net increase in the 65+ population.  
    • 65 year old adults in 2013
      In 2013, 3.4 million Americans turned 65.  
    • Growth in older population between 1900 and 2013
      In 2013, there were 10 times more Americans aged 65-74 than there were in 1900, 70 percent more older persons aged 75-84 than there were in 1900, and 49 times…  
    • Increase in older population, 1900-2014
      There were 13 times more older Americans in 2014 than there were in 1900 – an increase from 3.1 million to 44.7 million.  
    • Older Americans living below poverty line, 2013
      In 2013, 9.5% of older Americans were below the poverty line, an increase of 0.4% since 2012.  
    • Sources of income for older adults, 2012
      The largest source of income for older persons in 2012 was Social Security, followed by assets, private pensions, government employee pensions, and earnings.    
    • Income of households headed by older adults
      In 2013, households headed by persons 65+ had a median income of $51,486.  
    • Increase in ethnic/minority populations in older adults, 2003 to 2013
      The percentage of older adults of racial and ethnic populations has increased by 3.7 percent between 2003 and 2013.  
    • Older adults as primary caregiver, 2013
      There were approximately 536,000 adults aged 65 and over who were the primary caregiver for their grandchildren in 2013.  
    • Older women who live alone
      In 2014, 46 percent of older women lived alone.  
    • Older Americans who live alone
      In 2014, about 12.5 million older Americans (non-institutionalized) lived alone.  
    • Marital status of older population by gender, 2014
      In 2014, 72 percent of older men and 46 percent of older women were married.  
    • Racial and ethnic makeup of older population
      In the United States in 2013, 21.2% of the older population were members of racial or ethnic minority populations.  
    • Older U.S. population by gender
      There are about 5.5 million more older women in the United States than older men.  
    • Centennials in U.S., 2013
      In 2013, there were 67,347 centennials living in the United States.  
    • 100+ population, 2013
      In 2013, 0.15% of the 65+ population was 100 or older.  
    • Percentage of population that is an older American
      14.1 percent of the population of the United States is considered to be an older American.  
    • Increase in number of Americans who will reach 65 in next 20 years
      Between 2003 and 2013, the number of Americans who will reach 65 over the next 20 years increased by 20.7%.  
    • Increase in 60+ population between 2003 and 2013
      The number of Americans aged 60 and over increased from 48.1 million in 2003 to 62.8 million in 2013.  
    • Older adult population increase between 2003 and 2013
      In 2003, the older adult population (those 65 and over) was 8.8 million. In 2013, this number increased 24.7% to 44.7 million.  
    • Emergency room visits due to falls, 2007-2011
      In 2011, 6,893.5 per 100,000 older adults aged 65 and over visited the emergency room due to falls, an increase of 1658.4 per 100,000 since 2007.  
    • Physical activity in older adults with reduced physical or cognitive function
      39.3% of people 65 and over with reduced physical or cognitive function participated in some sort of physical activity in 2012.  
    • Functional limitations in older adults, 2007-2011
      Between 2007 and 2011, the percentage of people aged 65 and over who had moderate to severe functional limitations increased from 29.3% to 32.2%.  
    • Welcome to Medicare benefit usage, 2008-2011
      Between 2008 and 2011, the percentage of people aged 65 and over who used Welcome to Medicare benefits increased from 6.4% to 13.1%.  
    • Older population living in long-term care facilities
      The ratio of the 65 and older population living in long-term care facilities has decreased.  
    • Housing arrangements for adults aged 65-74, 2012
      In 2012, about 97 percent of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 lived in traditional community settings.  
    • Housing arrangements of 85 and older population, 2012
      In 2012, 8 percent of Americans aged 85 and over lived in community housing with services, and 14 percent lived in long-term care facilities.  
    • Living arrangements of Medicare population, 2009
      In 2009, less than 5 percent of the Medicare population aged 65 and over lived in community housing, and 4 percent lived in long-term care facilities.  
    • Living arrangements of older Americans
      The majority of the older population lives independently.  
    • Medicare payments for older adults, 2008
      Of enrollees aged 65 and over, Medicare paid for 60 percent of their health care costs in 2008.  
    • Prescription drug costs for older Americans
      The average prescription drug cost for older Americans was $2,834 in 2008, an amount that has been relatively stable since 2005.  
    • Delay of care due to cost
      The number of older adults who delayed getting care due to cost has decreased since 1992.  
    • Health care costs for the elderly, 1992-2006
      Between 1992 and 2006, health care costs for the elderly increased by a significant amount.  
    • 85+ population growth between 1900 and 2010
      The 85 and over population increased by 5.4 million between 1900 and 2010.  
    • Older population increase between 1900 and 2010
      The older population increased by 37 million between 1900 and 2010.  
    • 65 and older population as percent of total population, 2010
      The 65 and older population accounted for 13 percent of the U.S. population in 2010.  
    • Life Expectancy Increase from 2000 to 2009
      According to the Centers for Disease Control, life expectancy at birth was 76.8 years in 2000, 78.5 in 2009, and 78.7 in 2010.  
    • Older American education levels
      Among the 90-and-older population, about one-third (33.7 percent) stopped after high school graduation. Nearly 28 percent continued their education beyond high school, about half of whom completed a bachelor’s degree…  
    • Older population by race, 2006-2008
      In 2006–2008, Whites represented 88.1 percent of the total 90-andover population. Blacks represented 7.6 percent of the 90-and-over population and Asians represented 2.2 percent. About 4 percent of the 90-and-older population reported themselves to be…  
    • 90 and older population in the United States
      Ten states had 50,000 or more people aged 90 and older- California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.  
    • 90 and over population in 2006-2008
      In 2006–2008, there were an estimated 1.8 million people aged 90 and over in the United States.  
    • Growth of 90+ population between 1980 and 2010
      The 90-and-older population accounted for 2.8 percent of the older population in 1980 and in 2010, they represented 4.7 percent.  
    • 90+ population between 1980 and 2010
      The 720,000 people aged 90 and over in 1980 almost tripled to 1.9 million in 2010.  
    • Medicare enrollees receiving personal care
      Around 3.7 million (11%) of older Medicare enrollees received personal care from a paid or unpaid source in 1999.  
    • Older Americans in nursing homes
      Around 1.3 million elderly Americans are currently in nursing homes (around half are age 85 and older).  
    • Daily living activities of Medicare beneficiaries, 2007
      In 2007, more than 25% of community-resident Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 had difficulty in performing one or more activities of daily living.  An additional 4.6% reported difficulties with instrumental…  
    • Health status among older Americans with disability
      Of the 65+ Americans who reported a severe disability in 2009, 64% reported their health as fair or poor.  Among those who reported no disability, only 10% reported their health…  
    • Disabilities in older Americans, 2009
      In 2009, 37% of older Americans reported some type of disability (i.e. difficulty in hearing, vision, cognition, ambulation, self-care, or independent living).  56% of people over 80 reported a severe…  
    • Health insurance coverage for older Americans, 2009
      In 2009, 93.5% of non-institutionalized Americans age 65+ were covered by Medicare.  Of those, around 58% had some type of supplemental private health insurance.  8% had military-based health insurance, and…  
    • Out-of-pocket health care expenditures for older Americans, 2009
      In 2009, older Americans had average out-of-pocket health care expenditures of $4,846–an increase of 61% since 1999.  The average for Americans of all ages was $3,126.  Older Americans also spent…  
    • Office visits with doctors among older population
      In 2007, older Americans averaged 7.1 office visits with doctors–compared to 3.7 for Americans ages 45-65.  
    • Average hospital stay for 65+ population, 2007
      The average length of hospital stay for Americans age 65+ in 2007 was 5.6 days–compared to 4.8 days for Americans of all ages.  
    • Short stay hospital admittance of 65+ population, 2007
      In 2007, around 12.9 million Americans ages 65+ were discharged from short stay hospitals–a rate three times the comparable rate for persons of all ages.  
    • Perception of health status among older Americans in 2009
      In 2009, 41.6% of noninstitutionalized older Americans assessed their health as excellent or very good–compared to 64.5% of all Americans ages 18-64.  
    • Increase in 100+ population between 1990 and 2009
      In 2009, there were 64,024 Americans age 100 and older–0.2% of the total 65+ population.  This is a 72% increased from 1990 when there were 37,306 Americans age 100 and…  
    • Number of 65+ Americans in 2009
      In 2009, the number of Americans age 65 and older increased by 770,699.  
    • In 2009, around 2.6 million Americans celebrated their 65th birthday.
      In 2009, around 2.6 million Americans celebrated their 65th birthday.  
    • Death rates between 1990 and 2007
      Between 1990 and 2007, death rates for the 65-84 population declined–by 41.6% for men ages 65-74 and 29.5% for men ages 75-84.  
    • Older population in the US, 1900-2008
      The older population in the U.S. is growing older.  In 2008, the 65-74 age group was 9.5 times larger than in 1900.  In contrast, the 75-84 age group was 17…  
    • Older American population growth since 1900
      Since 1900, the percentage of Americans age 65+ has more than tripled (from 4.1% in 1900 to 12.9% in 2009) and the number has increased almost thirteen times (from 3.1…  
    • Older Americans as percentage of population
      More than 1 in 8 (12.9%) of the US population is an older American.  
    • Americans aged 45-64, 1999-2009
      The number of Americans ages 45-64, who will reach 65 over the next two decades, increased by 26% from 1999 to 2009.  
    • Increase in 65+ population since 1999
      The 65+ population numbered 39.6 million in 2009–an increase of 4.3 million (12.5%) since 1999.  
    • Number of 65+ Americans in 2008
      In 2008, 39 million Americans were 65 and older—accounting for 13% of the total population.  
    • Growth of U.S. older population between 1900 and 2008
      The U.S. population of those aged 65 and over grew from 3 million in 1900 to over 39 million in 2008.  During the same period, the 85 and older population…  
    • Older population projections, 1900-2008 and 2010-2050
      Population age 65 and over and age 85 and over, selected years 1900-2008 and projected 2010-2050  
    • Older American population change between 1980 and 2007
      Between 1980 and 2007, the percentage of Americans 65-74 years of age decreased slightly from 7% to 6%, while the percentage of Americans 75 years of age and over increased…  
    • Percent Increase in Population 65+, 1998 to 2008
      Percent Increase in Population 65+, 1998 to 2008  
    • Persons 65+ as a Percentage of Total Population, 2008
      Persons 65+ as a Percentage of Total Population, 2008  
    • Medicare coverage 65+ population in 2007
      In 2007, almost all (93%) of non-institutionalized Americans 65 and older were covered by Medicare.  
    • Number of Americans 100+ in 2008
      There were 92,127 Americans age 100 or more in 2008 (0.24% of the total 65 and older population). This is a 147% increase from 1990 (37,306 people).  
    • Growth of older population by age group, 1990-2008
      In 2008, the 65-74 age group (20.1 million) was over 9 times larger than in 1900. In contrast, the 75-84 group (13 million) was 17 times larger and the 85…  
    • Grandparents as primary caregiver
      About 471,000 grandparents age 65 or more had the primary responsibility for their grandchildren who lived with them.  
    • Number of older Americans living alone
      About 11.2 million (31%) of noninstitutionalized older Americans live alone (8.3 million women, 2.9 million men).  
    • Increase in American population 45-64
      The number of Americans aged 45-64, who will turn 65 years old over the next two decades, increased by 31% during this decade.  
    • Americans 65 years of age and older in 2008
      Americans 65 years of age and older numbered 38.9 million in 2008, an increase of 4.5 million or 13% since 1998.  
    • U.S. population over age 65 and over age 85 in 2006
      37 million (12% of the population) Americans were age 65 and older in 2006. This population grew from 3 million to 37 million over the 20th century. There were just…  
    • The aging baby boomers
      The baby boomer group now includes about 78 million Americans–27 million are ages 55-62 and 51 million ages 44-54.  
    • Change in 100+ population between 1990 and 2006
      In 2006, there was a 97% increase in the number of Americans aged 100 and older compared to 1990 (73,674 in 2006 compared to 37,306 in 1990).  
    • Increase in 65+ population in 2006
      Census estimates in 2006 showed an annual net increase of almost 500,000 in the number of persons 65 and over.  
    • Growth of 65+ population since 1900
      Since 1900, the number of Americans ages 65 and older has increased twelve times–from 3.1 million to 37.3 million.  
    • Increase in Americans aged 45-64 since 1996
      The population of Americans who will reach 65 over the next two decades, those aged 45-64, has increased 39% since 1996.  
    • 65+ population in 2006
      The population of Americans 65 years and older was 37.3 million in 2006– 1 in 8 Americans.  
    • Health Insurance Coverage of Persons 65+: 2006
      Health Insurance Coverage of Persons 65+: 2006  
    • Number of Persons 65+, 1900-2003
      Number of Persons 65+, 1900-2003 (numbers in millions)  
    • Increase in 100+ population between 1990 and 2004
      There were 64,658 persons age 100 and older in 2004 (0.18% of the population). This is a 73% increase from the 1990 figure of 37,306.  
    • Older American population
      About 1 in 8 (12.4%) of the population is an older American.  
    • Increase in 65+ Americans between 1994 and 2004
      There were 36.3 million Americans age 65 and older in 2004, an increase of 3.1 million (9.3%) since 1994.  
    • Risk-adjusted mortality ratios in hospitals
      Based on 2000-2002 mortality rates for Medicare beneficiaries, there is a 33-percentage point spread between the risk-adjusted mortality ratios achieved in the best 10% of hospitals and the bottom 10%.…  
    • Half of U.S. adults receive recommended preventative care
      Based on patients’ reports, about 50% of U.S. adults receive all recommended clinical screening tests and preventative care, according to U.S. national guidelines.  
    • Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 and 85 in 2003
      51% of non-institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older in 2003 were between 65 and 74 years old; 12% were age 85 and older.  
    • Baby boomers in the U.S. (2005)
      As of July 1, 2005, there were about 78.2 million baby boomers in the U.S. Starting in 2006, 330 of them will turn 60 every hour.  
    • 65 and older population since 1900
      Since 1900, the 65 and older population has doubled 3 times.  
    • Percentage of the Population Age 65 and Over, by County and State, 2004
      Percentage of the Population Age 65 and Over, by County and State, 2004  
    • Total population and older population: United States, 1950-2050
      Total population and older population: United States, 1950-2050  
    • Percent of population in five age groups: United States, 1950, 2004, and 2050
      Percent of population in five age groups: United States, 1950, 2004, and 2050  
    • Older population in 2004
      In 2004, those age 65-74 made up 6.3% of the population and those age 75 and older made up 6.1% of the population.  
    • Aging of the U.S. population from 1950 to 2004
      Between 1950 and 2004, the U.S. population got older. During that time, the under 18 population fell from 31% to 25% of the total population; while the 55-64 population grew…  
    • Older population growth between 1950 and 2004
      From 1950 to 2004, the total U.S. resident population grew from 150 million to 294 million–an annual growth rate of 1%. During that same time, the 65 and older population…  
    • Growth of oldest-old Americans during the 20th century
      During the twentieth century, the population of oldest-old Americans (those age 85 and older) grew from just over 100,000 to 4.2 million.  
    • Centenarians in U.S. in 2004
      In 2004, there were an estimated 60,800 centenarians (those age 100 and older) in the United States.  
    • Every day, more than 6,000 Americans celebrate their 65th birthday.
      Every day, more than 6,000 Americans celebrate their 65th birthday.