Protecting Older Consumers 2020–2021

"As the nation’s primary consumer protection agency, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”) has a broad mandate to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive acts or practices in the marketplace.1 It does this by, among other things, filing law enforcement actions to stop unlawful practices and, when possible, returning money to consumers. The FTC also protects the public through education and outreach on consumer protection issues. Through research and collaboration with federal, state, international, and private sector partners, the FTC strategically targets its efforts to achieve the maximum benefits for consumers, including older adults.2

Protecting older consumers in the marketplace is one of the FTC’s top priorities.3 This past year, the global pandemic has hit the health and finances of older communities particularly hard. As can be seen from numerous FTC cases, older adults continue to be targeted by a wide range of scams and the unfair and deceptive marketing of products and services. This past year, the FTC’s law enforcement efforts included a focus on schemes capitalizing on the fears and economic uncertainty associated with the pandemic to deceptively peddle products related to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In addition to its law enforcement efforts, the FTC has redoubled its efforts to reach communities of older adults throughout the country with its varied outreach campaigns. The FTC also has conducted research regarding fraud reports filed by consumers nationwide, which reveals patterns and trends related to fraud impacting older adults. These analyses help inform the agency’s efforts to respond to the needs of older consumers.

The FTC submits this fourth annual report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives to fulfill the reporting requirements of Section 101(c)(2) of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017.4 The law requires the Chairman to file a report listing the FTC’s enforcement actions “over the preceding fiscal year in each case in which not less than one victim was an elder or that involved a financial scheme or scam that was either targeted directly toward or largely affected elders.” Given the large number and broad range of consumers affected in FTC actions, this list, found in Appendix A, includes every administrative and federal district court action filed in the one-year period. In addition, the FTC files this report to provide detail on the agency’s efforts to protect older consumers, including its law enforcement actions in cases that impact older adults, its targeted consumer education and outreach, and its research and strategic initiatives.."
Older Consumers 

Older Drivers: Stay Safe Behind the Wheel

"In 2017, there were almost 44 million licensed drivers aged 65 and older in the United States.

Driving helps older adults stay mobile and independent. But the risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash increases as people age.

Thankfully, older adults can take steps to stay safe on the roads.

Facts About Older Adult Drivers

• One in five drivers in the United States is 65 years or older.
• Older adult drivers are more than twice as likely to report having a medical problem that makes it difficult to travel, compared with drivers aged 24-64.
• Four in five older adults take one or more medications daily. Physical changes that occur with age can change the way the body reacts to medicines, causing more side effects and affecting the ability to concentrate and drive safely.
• In 2017, almost 7,700 older adults (aged 65+) were killed in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 257,000 were treated in emergency departments for motor vehicle crash injuries. This means that each day, approximately 20 older adults are killed, and an additional 700 are injured in motor vehicle crashes..."
  Older drivers

Cancer, the Flu, and You

"If you have cancer now or have had cancer in the past, you are at higher risk for complications from the flu.

Get Your Flu Shot!

Flu vaccination is especially important for people with cancer or a history of cancer because they are at high risk of developing serious flu complications.

Are You 65 Years Old or Older?

Some older adults (65 years of age and older) may have a weaker immune response to flu vaccines. This can make them more likely to get the flu or flu complications.

Two vaccines are designed to create a stronger immune response in people who are 65 or older—

• The high-dose flu vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen as the regular flu shot.
• The adjuvanted flu vaccine contains an additive (called adjuvant).

For more information, see People 65 Years and Older and Influenza..."
Cancer and the flu 

The Older Population in Rural America: 2012-2016

"The older population, those aged 65 and older, is distributed across the urban and rural landscapes in ways that help shape this population and the country overall. According to 2012 to 2016 American Community Survey (ACS) data, there were 46.2 million older people in the United States, with 10.6 million living in areas designated as rural by the U.S. Census Bureau. Considering that the oldest of the baby boomers, those born between mid-1946 and 1964, began turning 65 years old in 2011, the demographic changes ahead for rural America have only begun. Most older people do not live in rural areas and most rural residents are not older. But an older, increasingly rural, population requires specialized medical and rehabilitation services, as well as innovative housing and public transportation options. An aging population clearly has the potential to shape rural America in new and important ways.

 Download The Older Population in Rural America: 2012-2016 [PDF - 1.0 MB].."
Older rural population

Portecting Older Consumers: 2018-2019

"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, when possible, returning money to consumers. The FTC also protects the public through education and outreach on consumer protection issues. Through research and collaboration with federal, state, international, and private sector partners, the FTC strategically targets its efforts to achieve the maximum benefits for consumers, including older adults. 

Protecting older consumers in the marketplace is one of the FTC’s top priorities.3 Unfortunately, in numerous FTC cases, older adults have been targeted or disproportionately affected by fraud. For example, the FTC has brought numerous enforcement actions in federal court to stop deceptive technical support schemes that affected older consumers.4 As the population of older adults grows, the FTC’s aggressive efforts to bring law enforcement action against scams that affect them, as well as provide useful consumer advice, become increasingly important.

The FTC submits this second annual report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives to fulfill the reporting requirements of Section 101(c)(2) of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017.6 The law requires the FTC Chairman to file a report listing the FTC’s enforcement actions “over the preceding year in each case in which not less than one victim was an elder or that involved a financial scheme or scam that was either targeted directly toward or largely affected elders.” Given the large number of consumers affected in FTC actions, this list includes every administrative and federal district court action filed in the one-year period..."
Older consumers

Keep on Your Feet—Preventing Older Adult Falls

"Falls are common and costly, especially among Americans age 65 and older. But falls are preventable and do not have to be an inevitable part of aging.

Every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in the U.S.—making falls the leading cause of injury and injury death in this age group. One out of four older adults will fall each year in the United States, making falls a public health concern, particularly among the aging population.

Facts About Older Adult Falls

• Thirty million older adults fall each year—resulting in about 30,000 deaths.
• Each year, 3 million older adultsexternal icon are treated for a fall injury.
• One out of every five fallsexternal icon causes a serious injury, such as broken bones or a head injury.
• Each year at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.
• More than 95% of hip fracturesexternal icon are caused by falling—usually by falling sideways.
• Women fall more often than men and account for three-quarters of all hip fractures..."
  Older Adult falls

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 Driver Safety Awareness Week

"December 4‒8, 2017 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. Older adults can take steps to stay safer on the roads.

Driving helps older adults—persons 65 and older—stay mobile and independent. However, as we age, declines in vision and cognition (ability to reason and remember), and physical changes may affect driving. Certain medical problems such as heart disease, dementia, sleep disorders, and limited hearing and vision place older adults at an increased risk of car crashes. Additionally, medicines, both prescription and over the counter, such as those used for sleep, mood, pain, and/or allergies among others may affect driving safety.

Older drivers are also at an increased risk of being injured or killed in a crash due to frailty and underlying health problems..."
Older Drivers

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

By the Numbers: Spending Habits of Older Americans

"It’s no secret that people’s needs and spending habits change over time. For Older Americans Month, we took a look into the data to highlight some of the spending changes.  Check out these Consumer Expenditure Survey fast facts and see how your spending stacks up to those of the older generation:

• Older households are more apt to be homeowners (79 percent) than younger households (57 percent). Please note: By “older households,” we mean those with a reference person (often the principal homeowner or renter) 65 years and older, and by “younger households” we mean those with a reference person under 65 years.

• Housing is the greatest expense, both in dollar amount ($15,529) and as a share of the household budget (34.8 percent) among older households.

• Older and younger households are similar in that 85 percent of older households and 88 percent of younger households own or lease at least one vehicle.

• Transportation expenses among older households, however, are lower in dollar amount ($6,846) and as a share of the household budget (15.3 percent) compared with younger households ($10,310 and 17.4 percent, respectively). That’s probably because older households have fewer earners and would be less likely to have job-related transportation costs.

• Because older households have fewer earners, pensions and Social Security costs are much lower in dollar amount ($2,401) and as a share of the household budget (5.4 percent) among older households compared with younger households ($7,118 and 12 percent).

• Out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are higher in dollar amount ($5,766) and as a share of the household budget (12.9 percent) among older households compared with younger households ($3,912 and 6.6 percent)...."

Older Americans and spending

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

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

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

The Centenarian Population: 2007–2011

"Centenarians, people 100 years or older, made up a very small portion of the total population in the

2007–2011 ACS, accounting for 55,000 people (0.02 percent).  By comparison, the 65 years and over 

population accounted for 40 million people or 13 percent of the total population..."

Centenarian Population

Fall Prevention

"We all want to protect our older family members and help them stay safe, secure, and independent. Knowing how to reduce the risk of falling, a leading cause of injury, is a step toward this goal..."
Preventing falls

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