Supporting Caregivers

"An Emerging Public Health Issue

Millions of older adults and people with disabilities could not maintain their independence without the help of unpaid caregivers. This care would cost nearly $470 billion a year if purchased. That’s one of the reasons that caregiving is an essential public health service and should be prioritized as an emerging public health issuepdf icon.¹

Caregivers are family members or friends who typically provide unpaid, long-term, community-based care and assistance to older adults and people with chronic health conditions or disabilities.  Caregivers help with a variety of routine tasks such as shopping, paying bills, bathing, dressing, and managing medicines.  They are often a source of emotional support and companionship for care recipients.

Caregivers: A Snapshot

• 58% of caregivers are women.
• Almost one-third of caregivers provide care at least 20 hours a week.
• Caregivers typically learn as they go and aren’t formally trained.
• 79% of caregivers care for adults aged 50 or older, and 76% of care recipients are aged 65 years and older.² 
• One in 6 non-caregivers expects to become a caregiver within two years.

Increasing Demand for Caregivers

The need for caregivers is growing along with the aging of the US population. The number of caregivers increased from 43.5 million in 2015 to about 53 million in 2020, or more than 1 in 5 Americans.³ By 2030, an estimated 73 million people in the United States will be 65 years or older.⁴ Many will require daily assistance from at least one caregiver to maintain quality of life, independence, and physical and social well-being. More than two-thirds of the US population will likely need help with tasks at some point in their lifetime.⁵

Benefits of Caregiving for Recipients and Caregivers

Caregiving allows recipients to:

• Retain their quality of life and independence.
• Avoid living in a group setting (institutionalization).
• Have less depression.
• Self-manage their chronic conditions better.

Caregiving can also benefit caregivers by helping them:

• Increase their self-confidence and fulfillment from helping others.
• Start or add to social networks of friendships associated with caregiving.
• Feel needed and useful.
• Learn and develop new skills..."
  Caregivers 

Age Without Injury—Still Going Strong Campaign

"Injuries from falls and car crashes are more common as we age. You can take simple steps to prevent these injuries from happening, so you can stay healthy and independent longer.

Older adults – those age 65 and older—are at an increased risk of health problems and injuries from falls and car crashes. CDC developed the Still Going Strong campaign to help older adults and their caregivers learn about risk factors for falls and crashes—and ways to prevent them.

Injuries Are Common as We Age

Over 10,000 people in the United States turn 65 every day. Each year, older adults experience 36 million falls and 1.6 million car crashes. An injury from a fall or car crash can decrease their independence. But, getting older doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite hobbies and activities.

It’s important for older adults and their caregivers to understand common injuries that can happen as we age and what we can do to prevent these injuries.

Older Adults Can Take Simple Steps to Prevent Injuries

• Tell your doctor if you have fallen, if you feel unsteady when standing or walking, or if you’re afraid you might fall. Talk to your doctor about fall prevention and safe driving strategies.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review the medicines you take—both prescription and over the counter. Some medicines might make you dizzy or sleepy or may reduce your reaction time.
• Have an eye doctor check your eyes at least once a year and update your eyeglasses as needed.
• Have your doctor check your feet at least once a year and discuss proper footwear to reduce your risk of falling.
• Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance, like Tai Chi.
• Make your home safer by removing throw rugs, using extra lighting or brighter light bulbs, installing grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on both sides of staircases.
• Only drive during daylight and in good weather, and always wear a seat belt—as a driver or passenger.
• Never drink and drive—alcohol reduces coordination, impairs judgement, and increases the risk of being in a crash.
• Plan your drive to find the safest route and leave a large following distance between your car and the car in front of you.
• Avoid distractions in your car, such as listening to a loud radio and talking or texting on your phone.
• Consider riding with a friend or family member, taking a ride share service, or using public transportation.
• If you have fallen or are in a car crash, have your doctor check you for signs and symptoms of a brain injury..."
  Age and injury 

Age Without Injury: Still Going Strong Campaign

"Injuries from falls and car crashes are more common as we age. You can take simple steps to prevent these injuries from happening, so you can stay healthy and independent longer.

Older adults – those age 65 and older—are at an increased risk of health problems and injuries from falls and car crashes. CDC developed the Still Going Strong campaign to help older adults and their caregivers learn about risk factors for falls and crashes—and ways to prevent them.

Injuries Are Common as We Age

Over 10,000 people in the United States turn 65 every day. Each year, older adults experience 36 million falls and 1.6 million car crashes. An injury from a fall or car crash can decrease their independence. But, getting older doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite hobbies and activities.

It’s important for older adults and their caregivers to understand common injuries that can happen as we age and what we can do to prevent these injuries.

Older Adults Can Take Simple Steps to Prevent Injuries

• Tell your doctor if you have fallen, if you feel unsteady when standing or walking, or if you’re afraid you might fall. Talk to your doctor about fall prevention and safe driving strategies.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review the medicines you take—both prescription and over the counter. Some medicines might make you dizzy or sleepy or may reduce your reaction time.
• Have an eye doctor check your eyes at least once a year and update your eyeglasses as needed.
• Have your doctor check your feet at least once a year and discuss proper footwear to reduce your risk of falling.
• Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance, like Tai Chi.
• Make your home safer by removing throw rugs, using extra lighting or brighter light bulbs, installing grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on both sides of staircases.
• Only drive during daylight and in good weather, and always wear a seat belt—as a driver or passenger.
• Never drink and drive—alcohol reduces coordination, impairs judgement, and increases the risk of being in a crash.
• Plan your drive to find the safest route and leave a large following distance between your car and the car in front of you.
• Avoid distractions in your car, such as listening to a loud radio and talking or texting on your phone.
• Consider riding with a friend or family member, taking a ride share service, or using public transportation.
• If you have fallen or are in a car crash, have your doctor check you for signs and symptoms of a brain injury.

Caregivers Can Help Loved Ones Age Without Injury

• Talk openly with your loved ones and their doctors about fall prevention and driving safety.
  
• Check with their healthcare provider to see if it’s safe for participate in strength and balance exercises, such as Tai Chi.
• Have your loved one’s eye checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and replace eyeglasses as needed.
• Have a healthcare provider check their feet once a year and discuss proper footwear.
• Help make their home safer by removing trip hazards, like throw rugs, and keep floors clutter free. Brighten their home with extra lighting or brighter bulbs. Install grab bars in the bathrooms and handrails on both sides of staircases.
• Encourage your loved one to always wear their seat belt as a driver and as a passenger.
• Encourage them to only drive when conditions are safest and to use alternative transportation options or offer to drive them yourself.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of mild TBI and concussion and moderate to severe TBI. Brain injuries are often missed or misdiagnosed in older adults..."
  Age without injury 

Population 65 and Older

"This report provides a look at selected demographic, social, housing and economic characteristics of the 65 years and older population in the United States based on 2016 American Community Survey (ACS) one-year data. The report also draws comparisons between people ages 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 and older. The information includes population size, marital status, living arrangements, caregiving for co-resident grandchildren, English ability, language spoken, educational attainment, computer ownership, internet access, homeownership, disability, labor force participation, occupation, median earnings, income type and poverty status..."
Older population

Protecting Older Consumers: 2017-2018: A Report to Congress of the Federal Trade Commission

"As the nation’s primary consumer protection agency, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”) has a broad mandate to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace.1 It does this by, among other things, filing law enforcement actions to stop unlawful practices and educating the public about consumer protection issues. Through strategic initiatives, research, and collaboration with federal, state, international, and private sector partners, the FTC targets its efforts to achieve the maximum benefits for consumers, including older adults.

The Commission’s anti-fraud program tracks down and stops some of the most pernicious frauds that prey on U.S. consumers, such as imposter scams, deceptive credit schemes, prize promotion fraud, business opportunity scams, and more. In addition, the advertising substantiation program protects consumers from the harm caused by unsubstantiated product claims, such as fake opioid addiction treatments and cancer cure products. The agency also works to protect consumer privacy and data security, combat illegal telemarketing and email spam, and enforce a variety of consumer protection rules and other statutes covering topics such as funeral industry practices,3 used car sales,4 and consumer product warranty protections,5 to name only a few. These programs provide tremendous benefits to older and younger consumers.."
Older consumers

Older adult falls

"Join us this year on September 22, 2018—Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD)—as CDC joins with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to increase awareness and to help spread the word about how to prevent fall-related injuries and deaths. FPAD is a great opportunity to share information about resources and strategies and how to prevent falls throughout the year.

Falls are Common

More than one in four older adults fall each year. With more than 10,000 Americans turning 65 each day, falls are a growing and significant public health problem. One of the major risk factors for falls is medications that may change the way a person feels or thinks due to side effects. Because four out of every five older adults take at least one prescription medication daily, and more than one third take five or more each day, this common risk factor for falling demands attention.."
Older adult falls

The Nation’s Older Population Is Still Growing,

"The nation’s population has a distinctly older age profile than it did 16 years ago, according to new U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released today.

New detailed estimates show the nation’s median age — the age where half of the population is younger and the other half older — rose from 35.3 years on April 1, 2000, to 37.9 years on July 1, 2016.

“The baby-boom generation is largely responsible for this trend,” said Peter Borsella, a demographer in the Population Division. “Baby boomers began turning 65 in 2011 and will continue to do so for many years to come.”

Residents age 65 and over grew from 35.0 million in 2000, to 49.2 million in 2016, accounting for 12.4 percent and 15.2 percent of the total population, respectively.

These latest estimates present changes among groups by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin at the national, state and county levels between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2016. The estimates also present changes over the same period among groups by age and sex for Puerto Rico and its municipios..."

Older Americans

Elder Abuse Prevention

"Prevent elder abuse. June 15th is World Elder Abuse Prevention Day

Elder abuse is a significant public health problem. Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited. Elder abuse, including neglect and exploitation, is experienced by 1 out of every 10 people, ages 60 and older, who live at home. This statistic is likely an underestimate because many victims are unable or afraid to disclose or report the violence.

The following six types of maltreatment occur among persons over the age of 60.

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Neglect
• Abandonment
• Financial abuse

See Elder Abuse Definitions for more detailed information...."
Elder abuse

America’s Age Profile Told through Population Pyramids

"Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin for the nation, states and counties. These data enable us to learn about the U.S. population, including its age structure. Age structure is often displayed using a population pyramid. You can learn about the makeup of the U.S. population as a whole by looking at its population pyramid, below...."
Aged population

Physical Activity for Older Adults

"Are you an older adult looking for ways to exercise in a safe environment? Participating in group exercise programs can help older adults remain physically active.

For adults over 65 years old, exercise helps maintain healthy and longer lives and can prevent many health problems that come with age such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

Issues such as traffic, adequate lighting and weather can get in the way of being active and, therefore, indoor exercise classes are one way to be active. It's suggested that adults over 65 should get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate level activity per week , such as brisk walking..."
Older Adults

A closer look at spending patterns of older Americans

"The aging of the United States population will influence the economy for many years to come. The Census Bureau projects that in 2050, the population aged 65 and older will be 83.7 million, almost double its estimate of 43.1 million in 2012.¹

This article examines the spending patterns of households with a reference person² age 55 and older. Age 55 was chosen because the article focuses on spending changes that occur as household members age and transition to retirement as well as during retirement. Understanding expenditure patterns in later life is crucial to evaluating financial security in retirement. This analysis uses integrated data from the 2014 Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE), which separates the 55-and-older age range into three groups:  ages 55–64, 65–74, and 75 and older..."
Older Americans

Take a Stand on Falls

"Every day, more than 10,000 Americans turn age 65. Among this age group, falls are the leading cause of injury, making falls a growing problem for older adults across the nation. These injuries are treated in an emergency department every 13 seconds and claim a life every 20 minutes. Every year, 1 out of 3 older adults falls, yet less than half tell their doctor about it. Although falls pose various health risks—they can be prevented.

Join us on the first day of fall, September 23rd, along with our sponsoring partner, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Falls Free Initiative to take a stand to prevent falls. Visit the Falls Prevention Awareness DayWeb page and follow the event on social media with the hashtag #FPAD15.Learn more about what communities across the nation are doing to keep older adults healthy, active, and independent longer..."
Falls

65+ in the United States:2010

"In 2011, the Baby Boom generation, people born 1946 to 1964, began to turn age 65. As the large Baby Boom cohort ages, the United States will experience rapid growth in both the number aged 65 and older and their share of the total population. The social and economic implications of the aging of the U.s. population will be of significant interest to policy makers, the private sector, and individuals..."
65+, Aged

U.S. Population Will Get Older but Remain Younger than Most Developed Countries

From Random Sampling, the U.S. Census Bureau's blog[5/6/2014]:
"Between 2012 and 2050, the share of the world’s population age 65 and over is projected to double from 8 percent in 2012 to 16.7 percent in 2050 (see figure). Although the United States is also projected to age over this period, it will remain one of the youngest developed countries, with 20.9 percent of its population 65 and over in 2050.

In contrast, Japan is projected to continue to be the oldest country of those with a population greater than 50,000, with 40.1 percent age 65 and over in 2050. Other developed countries, including Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland, are expected to have nearly one-third of their populations age 65 and over.."
Aged, Aging.

An Aging Nation: the Older Population in the United States

 "This report examines how the age structure of the U.S. population is expected to change over the coming decades and focuses on the older population in terms of age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. The size and structure of the older population is important to public and private interests, both socially and economically..."

Aging Nation

FTC Testifies on Fraud Against Older Americans

"The Federal Trade Commission testified before a U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce subcommittee about consumer protection issues facing older Americans, including the agency’s efforts to combat fraud and its education and outreach efforts to help seniors protect themselves.

Testifying on behalf of the Commission, Acting Director Charles Harwood of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection described the nature of current threats to older Americans and emerging threats to baby boomers to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade..."Fraud against older Americans

The Older Population in the United States: 2011

Find the latest statistics on the aged population in the United States.
The Older Population in the United States: 2011

Older Americans 2012 Key Indicators of Well-Being

"Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being (Older Americans 2012) provides a comprehensive, easy-to-understand picture of our older population’s health, finances, and well-being. It is the sixth such chartbook prepared by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics (Forum). Readers will
find here an accessible compendium of indicators drawn from the most reliable official statistics. The indicators are again categorized into five broad groups: population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care. In addition, the report contains a special feature on end-of-life care and place of death..."

Older Americans Month: May 2012

 Various statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau portraiting older americans during Older Americans Month.

The Older Population: 2010 ( 2010 Census Brief)

"The older population is an important and growing segment of the United States population. In fact, more people were 65 years and over in 2010 than in any previous census. Between 2000 and 2010, the population 65 years and over increased at a
faster rate (15.1 percent) than the total U.S population (9.7 percent)..."