From the Director
Older Americans Month and a few facts about older Americans
By Robert P. Dean
May is Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, “Choices for Independence”, recognizes the importance of choice and self-determination, and the desire of most older Americans to live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. As we celebrate Older Americans Month, this might be a good time to review a recent report commissioned by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), entitled “65+ in the United States 2005”, and some of its findings regarding longevity, health, and economic characteristics among older Americans as the US population continues to age. The number of older Americans age 65 or older has more than doubled in the last forty years - from 17 million in 1963 to 35.9 million in 2003. (Among those age 65 or older in 2003, 18.3 million were age 65 to 74, 12.9 million were age 75 to 84, and 4.7 million were age 85 or older). The number of centenarians (those 100 or older) has increased from 37,000 in 1990 to 50,000 in 2000 - a 26% increase. Approximately 80% of those age 100 or older are women. As the oldest baby boomers begin to turn 60 this year, the older population will continue to grow. It is projected that by 2030, 72 million Americans will be age 65 or over, and will represent nearly 20% of the total US population. According to the NIA report, the average life expectancy at birth has risen from 47.3 in 1900 to 76.9 in 2000.
Today’s population of older Americans is living longer and healthier lives, and is the healthiest senior generation to date. Even so, the number of people age 65 or older has increased so significantly, that there will be a greater number of older Americans with chronic health conditions. A report recently issued by the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) indicates that 8 out of 10 older Americans have at least one chronic condition, with 7 out of 10 having one or more. The CDC report further states that approximately 48% of older Americans suffer from arthritis, 37% have high blood pressure, 32% experience hearing loss, 5% have heart disease, 10% diabetes, and 5 to 15% suffer from major depression. The NIA report has comparable findings, stating that arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disorders are among the leading causes of activity limitations among older Americans. According to the NIA report, heart disease, cancer, and stroke continue to be the leading causes of death – approximately 33% (or 600,000) of the 1.8 million deaths of people age 65 or over in 2000, were caused by heart disease, 22% were caused by cancer, and 8% by stroke. While lung cancer mortality has decreased among men age 65 to 84, it has increased among older women in all age groups and has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
In regards to economic characteristics, Social Security continues to provide the largest share of retirement income for many older Americans. As a result, more older Americans will need to continue to work part time after retirement. Women receive lower retirement benefits than men. In 1999, women age 65 or over received an annual pension income of $8,224, compared with $14,046 for men age 65 or over. In 1959, 35% of people age 65 and over lived below the poverty line. In 2003, the poverty rate for people age 65 and older was 10%.
As we celebrate Older Americans Month, and the fact that seniors are living longer, staying healthier, and remaining more active and engaged in their communities, we must not forget that many seniors need varying degrees of assistance to continue to live with dignity and independence. An appropriate level of in-home and community-based services must be available so that seniors can make true and meaningful choices that will allow them to continue to live independently. Other needs include affordable housing with services, flexible transportation options for those who no longer drive, and adequate health and dental care (including geriatric mental health services). As we celebrate older Americans Month, we must ensure that the 30,000 Berkshire County residents who are age 60 and over, and who represent 22% of our county’s population, receive the services and supports that they need in order to make “choices for independence”.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services
(Ed Note: For more information: about the reports - visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov, or contact CDC at 1 800 311 3435. The National Institute on Aging (NIH) website at www.nia.nih.gov, or phone 1-800-222-2225. stroke prevention, see page 14 and 15, or call your local Council on Aging about health and fitness programs they way be offering this month in celebration of Older Americans Month.
