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 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 hazards b. install grab bars in bathrooms c. install railings on both sides of stairs d. 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).