Definitions:

-​ The US population is growing older and living longer

-​ As of 2020, ⅙ of people in the country were age 65+
-​ For the first time in US history, a significant number of Americans will achieve the older
adult status
-​ The volume of older adults remaining active in the community continues to increase
because of better health care, improved communication, and increased longevity
-​ People in the US are considered old once they have reached the age of 65
-​ Older adults are divided into three subdivisions
-​ Young old = 65-74
-​ Middle old = 75-84
-​ Old old = 85+
-​ The government uses this information to determine funding for programs (like public
transportation and healthcare servicing centers) and private sectors to determine where
best to place goods and services
-​ Senior, senior citizens, gold agers, retired persons, mature adults, elderly, aged, and old
people are used to describe people over the age of 65

Myths Surrounding Aging:

-​ Ageism: a form of prejudice and discrimination resulting from ignorance, misconceptions,
and half-truths about aging and older adults
-​ Older people are the least likely to be lonely of any age group and those who live alone
are in contact with friends and family through email, telephone, or in-person
-​ Cognitive impairments are the result of disease and do not automatically come with older
adulthood
-​ Most older people do have at least one chronic health problem, but the majority of older
adults live active lifestyles
-​ Sexual interest doesn’t necessarily decline with age
-​ Older adults are more likely to be retired, however are very likely to be productively
engaged at home and in the community
-​ The number of older adults engaged in professional employment is at an all-time length

Demography of Aging:
-​ Aging: study of those who are 65 years and older and of the variables that bring about
change in their lives
-​ Demographers suggest populations will continue to age in all countries

Size and Growth of the Older Adult Population in the US:

-​ Members of the baby boomer (1946-1964) generation began to turn 65 in 2011
-​ 85+ population is the fastest growing population out of all older adult populations
-​ The percentage of people 18 and younger will decline for the first time in US history
-​ Median age: the age at which half of the population is older and half is younger
-​ The median age is 38.8 years
Fertility Rates:
-​ Baby boomers have an impact on society and politics, family dynamics, social security,
health care, and retirement age
-​ This generation has grown up with improved healthcare, economic and educational
systems, and decreased risk of nutritional deficiency and improved immunology

Mortality Rates:
-​ The decrease in the annual mortality rate achieved over the 20th century was the result
of triumphs in medical science and public health practice
-​ The increase in life expectancy in the first half of the 20th century could be attributed to
the decrease in infant and early childhood deaths
-​ The increase in life expectancy since 1970 can be traced to the postponement of death
among the middle-aged and older adult population

Dependency and Labor-Force Ratios:

-​ Dependency ratio: a ratio that compares the number of individuals whom society
considers economically unproductive to the number it considers economically productive
-​ Total dependency ratio: the dependency ratio that includes both young and old
-​ Youth dependency ratio: the dependency ratio that includes only youth
-​ Old-age dependency ratio: the dependency ratio that includes only the old
-​ Labor-force ratio: a ratio of the total number of those individuals who are not working to
the number of those who are
-​ Communities can refer to the dependency ratio data as a guide for making the best
social policy decisions and as a way to allocate resources
-​ Much of the support for older adults comes from tax-supported programs like Social
Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
-​ To meet the impending burden of expenditures for older adults, taxes will most certainly
need to be raised or benefits reduced
-​ Many people in the productive age group (homemakers, those who are unemployed,
those who are disabled) do not participate in the labor force

Marital Status
-​ Men aren’t widowed as much because:
-​ Men have shorter life expectancies than women
-​ Men tend to marry women younger than them
-​ Men who lose a spouse through death or divorce are more likely to remarry than
women in the same situation

Living Arrangements:
-​ Living arrangements of America’s older population are linked to income, health status,
and the availability of caregivers
-​ Older women are more likely live alone than older men

Racial and Ethnic Composition:

 -​ In the coming decades, the percentage of older whites will decline and older Americans
of Hispanic origin will become the largest older racial or ethnic minority group in the US
-​ A number of health disparities exist among racial and ethnic minority groups in the
United States
-​ Health professionals will have to work to achieve cultural competence in the services
they provide to older adults of diverse backgrounds

Geographic Distribution:
-​ Many older adults live in California, Texas, and Florida with the highest percentage of
older adults being in Maine

Economic Status:
-​ Improvements have occurred with regard to the income and economic position of older
adults in recent decades
-​ The primary source of income for older adults was Social Security, earnings, and
pension/retirement
-​ Older adults are more economically vulnerable to the loss of a spouse; deteriorating
health and self-sufficiency; changes in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
legislation; and inflation due to where their earnings come from

Education:
-​ Baby boomers are the most educated cohort in the history of the US, so it’s expected
that future older adults will have achieved higher education attainment than today’s older
adults

Housing:
-​ The majority of older Americans live in adequate, affordable housing
-​ Older adults’ homes tend to be older, of lower value, and in greater need of repairs than
the homes of their younger counterparts
-​ The cost of utilities, real estate taxes, insurance, repairs, and maintenance have forced
many to sell their property or live in a less-desirable residence

Mortality:
-​ Chronically disabled: those with impairments for 3 months or longer that impede daily
activities
-​ The most consistent risk factors of illness and death across the total population is age
-​ The top three leading causes of death of the older population are:
1.​ Heart disease
2.​ Cancer
3.​ COVID-19
-​ Leading cause of death for 85+ were cancer and then COVID-19
-​ The overall age-adjusted mortality rate for older adults has continued to fall because of
declining death rates for heart disease and stroke
Morbidity:
-​ Morbidity: the condition of suffering from a specific illness or condition
-​ Arthritis is the leading chronic condition for older adults
-​ Heart disease and diabetes also have disabling effects
-​ The advent of medications and surgical treatment allow older adults to benefit from
restorative treatments and reduce the need for assistance with many ADLs

Chronic Conditions:
-​ Chronic condition: systemic health problems that are designated as chronic if they
persist for longer than three months
-​ Hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are common chronic
conditions
-​ Chronic conditions create a burden on health and economic status, impede ability to
engage with family and friends, and increase the demand for caregivers

Impairments:
-​ Impairments: deficits in the functioning of one’s sense organs or limitations in one’s
mobility or range of motion
-​ The primary impairments in older adults are:
-​ Sensory impairments
-​ Physical limitations
-​ Memory impairments
-​ Medicare does not cover prescription glasses, dentures, or hearing aids and exams for
fitting
-​ Physical limitations: older adults having difficulty performing any of the eight physical
activities
-​ The eight physical activities are:
1.​ Walking a quarter of a mile - about 3 city blocks
2.​ Walking up 10 steps without resting
3.​ Standing or being on their feet for about 2 hours
4.​ Sitting for about 2 hours
5.​ Stooping, bending, or kneeling
6.​ Reaching over their head
7.​ Using their fingers to grasp or handle small objects
8.​ Lifting or carrying something as heavy as 10 pounds, such as a full bag of
groceries
-​ Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of memory loss in older adults

Health Behaviors and Lifestyle Choices:

-​ Older Americans are less likely to consume large amounts of alcohol, smoke cigarettes,
or being overweight or obese

Physical Activity:
 -​ Helping to promote a healthier lifestyle is the responsibility of every healthcare
practitioner
-​ Many of the costly ailments associated with aging and inactivity can be managed with
regular physical activity
-​ Even small increases in physical activity have been shown to mitigate diabetes, arthritis,
CVD, and dementia
-​ The HHS recommends participating in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic
exercise and at least 2 days of muscle strengthening each week
-​ Longevity, quality of life, fall risk, and direct health care costs are impacted by inactivity

Nutrition:
-​ Obesity and malnutrition are problems for the older population
-​ Dietary concerns for older adults include reduced sodium intake, reduced caloric needs
from added sugars and fats, increasing vegetable consumption, and increased water
consumption

Cigarette Smoking:
-​ Of special concern is the number of adults who are former smokers

Vaccinations:
-​ The use of vaccines is the safest way to help prevent communicable illnesses

Mistreatment of Older Adults:

-​ Adult Protective Services ensure the safety and well-being of elders and adults with
disabilities who are in danger of being mistreated or neglected, unable to take care of
themselves or protect themselves from harm, and have no one assist them