Demographic Changes and Aging Population – RHIhub Aging in Place Toolkit (2024)

FAQs

How will the demographic changes affect the older population? ›

Today, there are more than 46 million older adults age 65 and older living in the U.S.; by 2050, that number is expected to grow to almost 90 million. Between 2020 and 2030 alone, the time the last of the baby boom cohorts reach age 65, the number of older adults is projected to increase by almost 18 million.

Is aging in place a good idea? Aging in place may be a good idea for older adults who, with appropriate home and lifestyle modifications, can live independently. People with physical conditions or cognitive disorders may benefit from moving to an assisted living facility.

In a survey of 1,000 respondents aged 55 or older, 89% of respondents said they wished to age in place in their own homes as opposed to seeking out more traditional senior living arrangements outside the home.

An aging population causes social, economic, and political changes on a society. It creates an increasing burden on the population of working-age adults.

In the Global North, “demographic aging” is a contemporary phenomenon that recognizes the rapid growth of older adults (aged above 65years), compared to younger populations (age 0–14).

Preserving Independence

For many people, maintaining a sense of independence is essential, as it enables older adults to improve quality of life. Aging in place allows older adults to retain a high level of control over their lives, as they can continue to live in familiar spaces.

Why is the population ageing? The ageing of the world's populations is the result of the continued decline in fertility rates and increased life expectancy.

What is causing the aging population in the US? ›

Americans are having fewer children and the baby boom of the 1950s and 1960s has yet to be repeated. Fewer babies, coupled with longer life expectancy equals a country that ages faster. Although declining fertility plays a role, the driving force behind America's aging is the baby boomers.

An aging population puts budgetary pressure on society as a whole because the number of workers declines relative to the number of consumers. This phenomenon is quantified by the support ratio of the total number of workers to consumers (which includes everyone—young, prime age, and elderly).

What Age Is Considered Elderly in the U.S.? According to the Social Security Administration, 9 out of 10 people over the age of 65 receive Social Security benefits, and 65 is the age that U.S. citizens are legally considered seniors.

Over 90% of seniors want to stay in their own home, so it is likely that your loved one falls in that range. Choose to let them stay at home, they will truly appreciate it.

Although tomorrow's elderly may have an improved financial position, the size of the future population will increase the need for long-term home care and may require a greater supporting role by society.

Over the coming decades, the total number of Americans ages 65 and older will increase sharply. As a result, an increasing number of older Americans will be living with illness and disability, and more care providers and resources will be required to meet their needs for health care services.

It is important because people of different ages have different capabilities, interests, needs, and intentions, so that shifts in age structure gradually change the points of emphasis on the social landscape and the focus of public attention.

Stages of the Demographic Transition

Stage 1—High birth and death rates lead to slow population growth. Stage 2—The death rate falls but the birth rate remains high, leading to faster population growth. Stage 3—The birth rate starts to fall, so population growth starts to slow.