Today's older Americans enjoy longer lives and better physical function than did previous generations, but an increased burden in housing costs and rising obesity may compromise these gains, according to a comprehensive federal look at aging. The report, Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being, tracks trends at regular intervals to see how older people are faring as the U.S. population grows older.
In 2010, 40 million people age 65 and over accounted for 13 percent of the U.S. population. In 2030, the number and proportion of older Americans is expected to grow significantly -— to 72 million, representing nearly 20 percent of the population.
Key points of the report:
- Older women are participating more in the work force.
- Older Americans are in better economic shape now than they were in 1974.
- Housing cost burden has been steadily increasing.
- Obesity is increasing among older people.
- More hospice care is being used; fewer die in hospitals.
Read more from the National Institutes of Health.
