Senior Health

Statistics about Aging in the U.S. and Ohio

Aging in the US The following national statistics specific to aging emphasize the importance of this growing segment of the population to educators, practitioners, and researchers in health care.

Currently, 36 million Americans are over the age of 65 (12% of total population)
By 2030, 71 million Americans will be 65+ (19.6% of total population) ¹
Starting in 2006, a Baby Boomer turns 60 every 7.7 seconds! ²
63% of newly licensed nurses report that older adults comprise a majority of their patient loads ³

According to the National Center for Healthcare Statistics (2004), older adults represent:

50% of hospital days used by adults
60% of all ambulatory adult primary care visits to health care providers
70% of all home care visits
85% of residents in nursing homes

The following statistics for Ohio and select counties are from the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University in Oxford, OH.

Ohio (all)

Hamilton

Butler

Clermont

Warren

Population age 60+ (Yr. 2000)

1,963,489

(?17% of total)

145,000

(?20% of total)

47,577

(?14% of total)

23,101

(?13% of total)

20,508

(?13% of total)

Projected 2020

population age 60+

2,822,000

(44% increase)

175,000

(20% increase)

83,000

(74% increase)

51,000

(122% increase)

50,200

(145% increase)

The Scripps Center also indicates:

"Over one third of individuals age 60+ have at least one disability
Over 12% of the age 60+ population live in poverty
One in 10 individuals age 60+ are racial or ethnic minorities
Of men age 60+, 75% are married, compared to only 46% of women
More than 7 in 10 individuals age 60+ have 12 or fewer years of education
Of women age 60+, 41% live alone, compared to 20% of men."

The full report entitled Profile & Projects of the 60+ Population is available for download at http://www.scripps.muohio.edu/content/profile-and-projections-ohios-60-population-county-county-study

Recommended Resources

Other aging resources:

Nurse Competence in Aging (http://www.geronurseonline.org/) ? This site provides comprehensive information on a wide variety of gero nursing and health care topics including assessment through evaluation of care. Two drop-down menus provide evidence-based information and several assessment tools useful for many common challenges facing older adults and care providers. The GeroNurseOnline.org website is made possible by the Nurse Competence in Aging Initiative. The current, best practice information in care of older adults found at this site will assist students, and health care professionals who serve older adults.
Article: Bednash, G., Fagin, C, & Mezey, M. (2003). Geriatric content in nursing programs: A wake-up call. Nursing Outlook, 51, 140-150. 152-157. This guest editorial sums up the challenges and opportunity in one-page.
Article: Wendt, A. (2003). Mapping geriatric nursing competencies to the 2001 NCLEX-RN test plan. Nursing Outlook, 51, 152-157. This article outlines the coverage of geriatric content in the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for nursing professionals.

References:

Federal Interagency Forum on Age-Related Statistics, 2004 National Center for Health Care Statistics, http://www.agingstats.gov/
Baby Boomers Approach 60: From the Age of Aquarius to the Age of Responsibility, Pew Research Center Report, December 2005. Retrieved from pewresearch.org/assets/social/pdf/socialtrends-boomers120805.pdf

Wendt, A. (2003). Mapping geriatric nursing competencies to the 2001 NCLEX-RN test plan. Nursing Outlook, 51, 152-157.

GERO GEMS is a monthly publication of the Center for Aging with Dignity. Compiled by Evelyn Fitzwater, this publication is designed to raise awareness of aging and related issues impacting health care professionals and our society as a whole.

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Last Reviewed: Jan 10, 2007

Evelyn L Fitzwater, DSN, RN
Associate Professor Emerita
Associate Director of the
College of Nursing
University of Cincinnati