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The Elder Population in America
Dallas Texas Law Newsletter
Michael Wald continues to emphasize advice to elder Americans in their planning and dealing with aging issues.
According to a recent report by the United States Government,1 the population over age 65 is increasing and expected to double within the next 25 years.
By 2030, nearly one out of every five Americans will be 65 years or older.
The age group 85 and older is now the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.
Fewer older Americans are living in poverty. The poverty level dropped from 35% of seniors in 1959 to 10% in 2003.
America's older population is in better health than ever. The portion of Americans age 65 or older with a disability fell significantly from 26.2% in 1982 to 19.7% in 1999. Heart disease deaths are on the decline. Heart disease, cancer and stroke still remain the leading causes of death. 14 million people age 65 and older reported some level of disability in Census 2000, mostly linked to a high prevalence of chronic conditions such as heart disease or arthritis. Older adults have the second-highest rate of death from automobile accidents, trailing only young people age 15 to 24. Reflecting the population as a whole, older Americans are obese. Nearly a quarter of men age 65 to 74 were obese in 1988 through 1994. By 1999 to 2000, more than one-third of men in that group were obese. For women, obesity rose from 27% to 39% during the same period. Adults age 75 and older were less likely to be obese.
America's older population is growing more diverse. In 2003, older Americans were 83% non-Hispanic white, 8% black, 6% Hispanic, and 3% Asian. By 2030, an estimated 72% of older Americans will be non-Hispanic white, 11% Hispanic, 10% black, and 5% Asian.
Divorce among elder Americans is on the rise and researchers believe that fewer children and more step-children may change the availability of family support systems in the future for older Americans. In 1960, 1.6% of older men and 1.5% of women age 65 and older were divorced and had not remarried. But by 2003, 7% of older men and 8.6% of older women were divorced. Among people in their early 60s, in 2003 12.2% of men and 15.9% of women were divorced.
These are just some of the facts that effect our growing elder population.
Please remember to call on Michael Wald to assist you and your clients with dealing with the many issues that older Americans face.
For a copy of the report, go to http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/mar2006/nia.htm.
Please complete the fields below if you'd like more information about Michael Wald, his areas of expertise and the ways he may be able to serve you.
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