The Face of Aging in Idaho

America is Aging

• Thanks to the baby boomer generation, and better health care older age groups are growing more rapidly than younger age groups

• Today one in 7 persons is age 65 or older, by 2030 one in 5 Americans will be 65 or older

• Today one on 16 persons is age 75 or older, by 2040, the share will be 1 in 8

• (Center for Housing Studies, Harvard, 2014)

Idaho is Aging Too!

• Between 2003 and 2013 the 65+population in 20 states increased by 30% of more.

• In Idaho it increased by 43.1% (U.S. HSS, 2014)

Another way to look at this!

• The population 65+ in Idaho is 13.8% of all ages (US HSS, 2014).

The Young/Old & the Old/Old

• The difference is not chronological age, it is health status (Pipher, 1999)

Most aging adults prefer to live independently

• At any given time, just 2% of older adults live in group quarters (nursing homes, residential treatment facilities)

Living preferences

• In own home – With spouse: 72% of men and 46% of women– Alone 35% of women and 19% of men– With grandchild present: 2.2 million nationally and

one fourth of them are raising those grandchildren– In Institutional setting: 1% of those ages 65-74, 3%

of those ages 75-84 and 10% of those 85+• (Administration on Aging, 2014).

Young old

Old old

Accessibility Issues are Key

• No step entry• Single floor living• Extra wide hallways and doors• Accessible electrical controls• Lever-style handles on door & faucets

Why?

• Falls are the #1 cause of injury & injury related deaths among adults aged 65 and older. (CDC, 2013).

Simple steps:a. remove tripping hazardsb. install grab bars in bathroomsc. install railings on both sides of stairsd. improve lighting

Suggestions

• Encourage production of more diverse and flexible housing near services & amenities

• Allow construction of smaller units, such as caregiver units

• Develop housing flexible for intergenerational living• Offer incentives to modify & maintain existing

homes• Expand rental units in suburban locations so elderly

may remain in their community(Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2014).