American aging

Baby Boomers

Baby boomers have significantly impacted every institution and stage of life they have encountered. We can blame them for this massive aging of the American populace as well. This demographic shift will cause a tremendous change in the demand for housing, and will exponentially increase the need for services to help older adults age in place. Yet, many communities are not prepared—or preparing—to negotiate the profound effect of this transition on our communities.

In 2000, 35 million Americans were age 65 and older—a 12 percent increase from 1990. Almost half of these 35 million were older than 75. With an aging population comes both challenges and benefits: financially, politically and socially.

Many older Americans are living at home, cared for by adult children. Now in their 40s and 50s, after spending decades raising children, millions of “baby boomers” find themselves caring for aging parents. For these family caregivers, emotional, financial and physical stress can often be an issue.

With the rise of home caregiving and other assisted living options for seniors, the number of older Americans living in nursing homes has declined in recent years. In 2000, less than five percent of Americans 65 years and older lived in nursing homes such as Sunset Hall.

About 86 percent of older adults with income receive Social Security income (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006). For 21 percent of these older adults, Social Security is their sole source of income (Social Security Administration, 2006).

Contribute to the body of research on the societal barriers experienced by older persons, particularly low-SES groups and/or persons of minority status, and the impact of these barriers on health and positive well-being.