We all know —baby boomers are about
to swell the ranks of older Americans. By 2050, the population of individuals
aged 65 or older will increase 120 percent from 40 million to more than 88
million; put another way, one in every five Americans will be 65+. The numbers
of Americans aged 85 or older will more than triple over the same period to 19
million. Demand for housing will shift dramatically and the need for services
to help older adults age in place will grow exponentially. Are we
prepared? This report looks at the
housing situation of older adults now and implications for the near future. It
includes a detailed analysis of data from the most recent American Housing
Survey and presents results by age group (65-74, 74-84, 85+) because the
housing needs of “younger” older adults and the oldest adults are quite different.
It draws on a variety of other sources to round out the picture of housing
challenges that we must prepare for now. An older population with health and
mobility issues will drive demand for home modifications, services to help
residents age in place, and housing options that facilitate the delivery of
services and help prevent premature entry into nursing homes. Thanks to changes
in lifestyle and technology, both men and women are living longer. It also
means more older adults will be living with disabilities. While about
one-quarter of older households aged 65-74 include someone with a disability,
the proportion climbs to nearly two-thirds among households with a member
85+. The demand for renovations and
retrofits to accommodate disabilities will soar. Older adults almost universally say they want
to age in their current homes, but many lack access to the services needed to
ensure this outcome. Considerable attention is focused on the rising healthcare
costs of an aging population — and rightly so. But the housing and supportive
services needs faced by the very same people receive comparatively little
notice. Even today, federally subsidized rental programs meet the needs of only
about one in four eligible households regardless of age. As the number of older
adults rises, the dual challenges of providing affordable housing and adequate
services will compel communities across the country to respond.
Hillier,
S, & Barrow, G (2009). Aging, the Individual and Society. (8th ed,
p243-244). California: Wadsworth.
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