A Profile

of

Older Americans: 2012

Administration on Aging

Administration for Community Living

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Table of Contents

Highlights.................................................................................................... 1

The Older Population..................................................................................... 2

Future Growth............................................................................................. 3

Figure 1: Number of Persons 65+, 1900 - 2060 (numbers in millions)

Marital Status.............................................................................................. 4

Figure 2: Marital Status of Persons 65+ - 2012

Living Arrangements..................................................................................... 5

Figure 3: Living Arrangements of Persons 65+: 2012

Racial and Ethnic Composition.......................................................................... 6

Geographic Distribution.................................................................................. 6

Figure 4: Persons 65+ as Percentage of Total Population by State: 2011 (US Map)

Figure 5: Percentage Increase in Population 65+ by State: 2000 to 2011 (US Map)

Figure 6: The 65+ Population by State: 2011 (table)

Income..................................................................................................... 10

Figure 7: Percent Distribution by Income: 2011

Poverty ..................................................................................................... 11

Housing ................................................................................................... 12

Employment .............................................................................................. 12

Education ................................................................................................. 12

Health and Health Care ................................................................................. 13

Health Insurance Coverage .............................................................................. 14

Figure 8: Percentage of Persons 65+ with Health Insurance Coverage, 2011

Disability and Activity Limitations .................................................................... 15

Figure 9: Percent of Persons with Limitations in Activities of Daily Living

by Age Group: 2010

Notes ......................................................................................................... 16
Highlights*

• The older population (65+) numbered 41.4 million in 2011, an increase of 6.3 million or 18% 

since 2000.

• The number of Americans aged 45-64 – who will reach 65 over the next two decades – increased 

by 33% during this period.

• Over one in every eight, or 13.3%, of the population is an older American.

• Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 19.2 years (20.4 years 

for females and 17.8 years for males).

• Older women outnumber older men at 23.4 million older women to 17.9 million older men.

• In 2011, 21.0% of persons 65+ were members of racial or ethnic minority populations--9% were 

African-Americans (not Hispanic), 4% were Asian or Pacific Islander (not Hispanic), less than 

1% were American Indian or Native Alaskan (not Hispanic), and 0.6% of persons 65+ identified 

themselves as being of two or more races. Persons of Hispanic origin (who may be of any race) 

represented 7% of the older population. 

• Older men were much more likely to be married than older women--72% of men vs. 45% of 

women (Figure 2). 37% older women in 2012 were widows.

• About 28% (11.8 million) of noninstitutionalized older persons live alone (8.4 million women, 

3.5 million men).

• Almost half of older women (46%) age 75+ live alone.

• In 2011, about 497,000 grandparents aged 65 or more had the primary responsibility for their 

grandchildren who lived with them.

• The population 65 and over has increased from 35 million in 2000 to 41.4 million in 2011 (an

18% increase) and is projected to increase to 79.7 million in 2040.

• The 85+ population is projected to increase from 5.7 million in 2011 to 14.1 million in 2040.

• Racial and ethnic minority populations have increased from 5.7 million in 2000 (16.3% of the 

elderly population) to 8.5 million in 2011 (21% of the elderly) and are projected to increase to

20.2 million in 2030 (28% of the elderly).

• The median income of older persons in 2011 was $27,707 for males and $15,362 for females. 

Median money income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed by older people 

rose by 2% (not statistically significant) from 2010 to 2011. Households containing families 

headed by persons 65+ reported a median income in 2011 of $48,538.

• The major sources of income as reported by older persons in 2010 were Social Security (reported 

by 86% of older persons), income from assets (reported by 52%), private pensions (reported by

27%), government employee pensions (reported by 15%), and earnings (reported by 26%).

• Social Security constituted 90% or more of the income received by 36% of beneficiaries in 2010 

(23% of married couples and 46% of non-married beneficiaries).

• Almost 3.6 million elderly persons (8.7%) were below the poverty level in 2011. This poverty 

rate is not statistically different from the poverty rate in 2010 (8.9%). During 2011, the U.S. 

Census Bureau also released a new Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) which takes into 

account regional variations in the livings costs, non-cash benefits received, and non-discretionary 

expenditures but does not replace the official poverty measure. The SPM shows a poverty level 

for older persons of 15.1% (more than 6 percentage points higher than the official rate of 8.7%). 

This increase is mainly due to including medical out-of-pocket expenses in the poverty 

calculations.

*Principal sources of data for the Profile are the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and 

the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Profile incorporates the latest data available but not all items are updated on an 

annual basis.

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The Older Population

The older population--persons 65 years or older—numbered 41.4 million in 2011 (the most recent year 

for which data are available). They represented 13.3% of the U.S. population, over one in every eight 

Americans. The number of older Americans increased by 6.3 million or 18% since 2000, compared to an 

increase of 9.4% for the under-65 population. However, the number of Americans aged 45-64 – who will 

reach 65 over the next two decades – increased by 33% during this period.

In 2011, there were 23.4 million older women and 17.9 million older men, or a sex ratio of 131 women 

for every 100 men. At age 85 and over, this ratio increases to 203 women for every 100 men. 

Since 1900, the percentage of Americans 65+ has more than tripled (from 4.1% in 1900 to 13.3% in 

2011), and the number has increased over thirteen times (from 3.1 million to 41.4 million). The older 

population itself is increasingly older. In 2011, the 65-74 age group (21.4 million) was almost 10 times 

larger than in 1900; the 75-84 group (12.8 million) was 16 times larger and the 85+ group (5 million) was 

40 times larger.

In 2011, persons reaching age 65 had an average life expectancy of an additional 19.2 years (20.4 years 

for females and 17.8 years for males). A child born in 2011 could expect to live 78.7 years, about 30 years 

longer than a child born in 1900. Much of this increase occurred because of reduced death rates for 

children and young adults. However, the period of 1990-2007 also has seen reduced death rates for the 

population aged 65-84, especially for men – by 41.6% for men aged 65-74 and by 29.5% for men aged 

75-84. Life expectancy at age 65 increased by only 2.5 years between 1900 and 1960, but has increased 

by 4.2 years from 1960 to 2007. Nonetheless, some research has raised concerns about future increases in 

life expectancy in the US compared to other high-income countries, primarily due to past smoking and 

current obesity levels, especially for women age 50 and over.

About 3 million persons celebrated their 65th birthday in 2011. In the same year, approximately 1.8 

million persons 65 or older died. Census estimates showed an annual net increase between 2010 and 

2011 of 916,837 in the number of persons 65 and over.

Between 1980 and 2010, the centenarian population experienced a larger percentage increase than did the 

total population. There were 53,364 persons aged 100 or more in 2010 (0.13% of the total 65+ 

population). This is a 66% increase from the 1980 figure of 32,194.

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1) Population Estimates and Projections; 2) 2010 

Census Special Reports, Centenarians: 2010, C2010SR-03, 2012; and 3) Table 5. Population by Age and 

Sex for the United States: 1900 to 2000, Part A. Hobbs, Frank and Nicole Stoops, Census 2000 Special 

Reports, Series CENSR-4, Demographic Trends in the 20th Century. The National Center for Health 

Statistics’ Hoyert DL, Xu JQ. Deaths: Preliminary data for 2011. National vital statistics reports; vol 61 

no 6. Hyattsville, MD: 2012. The National Research Council’s Crimmins EM, Preston SH, Cohen B, 

editors. Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries. Panel on Understanding 

Divergent Trends in Longevity in High-Income Countries, 2011.)

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Future Growth

The older population will continue to grow significantly in the future (Figure 1). This growth slowed 

somewhat during the 1990's because of the relatively small number of babies born during the Great 

Depression of the 1930's. But the older population is beginning to burgeon as the "baby boom" generation 

begins to reach age 65.

The population 65 and over has increased from 35 million in 2000 to 41.4 million in 2011 (an 18% 

increase) and is projected to more than double to 92 million in 2060. By 2040, there will be about 79.7

million older persons, over twice their number in 2000. People 65+ represented 13.3% of the population 

in the year 2011 but are expected to grow to be 21% of the population by 2040. The 85+ population is 

projected to triple from 5.7 million in 2011 to 14.1 million in 2040.

Racial and ethnic minority populations have increased from 5.7 million in 2000 (16.3% of the elderly 

population) to 8.5 million in 2011 (21% of the elderly) and are projected to increase to 20.2 million in 

2030 (28% of the elderly). Between 2012 and 2030, the white (not Hispanic) population 65+ is projected 

to increase by 54% compared with 125% for older racial and ethnic minority populations, including 

Hispanics (155%), African-Americans (not Hispanic) (104%), American Indian and Native Alaskans (not 

Hispanic) (116%), and Asians (not Hispanic) (119%).

Note: Increments in years are uneven.

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1) Population Estimates and Projections; 2) Table 

1. Projected Population by Single Year of Age (0-99, 100+), Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for the 

United States: July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2060, Release Date: 2012; and 3) Table 5. Population by Age and 

Sex for the United States: 1900 to 2000, Part A. Hobbs, Frank and Nicole Stoops, Census 2000 Special 

Reports, Series CENSR-4, Demographic Trends in the 20th Century.) 

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Marital Status

In 2012, older men were much more likely to be married than older women--72% of men, 45% of women 

(Figure 2). Widows accounted for 37% of all older women in 2012. There were over four times as many 

widows (8.5 million) as widowers (2.1 million).

Divorced and separated (including married/spouse absent) older persons represented only 12% of all older 

persons in 2012. However, this percentage has increased since 1980, when approximately 5.3% of the 

older population were divorced or separated/spouse absent.

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement.)

 

 

 

 

 

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Living Arrangements

Over half (57%) the older noninstitutionalized persons lived with their spouse in 2012. Approximately 

13.2 million or 72% of older men, and 10.3 million or 45% of older women, lived with their spouse 

(Figure 3). The proportion living with their spouse decreased with age, especially for women. Only 32% 

of women 75+ years old lived with a spouse.

About 28% (11.8 million) of all noninstitutionalized older persons in 2012 lived alone (8.4 million 

women, 3.5 million men). They represented 36% of older women and 19% of older men. The proportion 

living alone increases with advanced age. Among women aged 75 and over, for example, almost half 

(46%) lived alone.

In 2011, a total of about 2 million older people lived in a household with a grandchild present. About 

497,000 of these grandparents over 65 years old were the persons with primary responsibility for their 

grandchildren who lived with them.

A relatively small number (1.5 million) and percentage (3.6%) of the 65+ population in 2011 lived in 

institutional settings such as nursing homes (1.3 million). However, the percentage increases dramatically 

with age, ranging (in 2011) from 1% for persons 65-74 years to 3% for persons 75-84 years and 11% for 

persons 85+. In addition, in 2009, approximately 2.7% of the elderly lived in senior housing with at least 

one supportive service available to their residents.

Figure 3: Living Arrangements of Persons 65+, 2012

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The Centers for 

Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.)

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Racial and Ethnic Composition

In 2011, 21.0% of persons 65+ were members of racial or ethnic minority populations--9% were AfricanAmericans (not Hispanic), 4% were Asian or Pacific Islander (not Hispanic), less than 1% were American 

Indian or Native Alaskan (not Hispanic), and 0.6% of persons 65+ identified themselves as being of two 

or more races. Persons of Hispanic origin (who may be of any race) represented 7% of the older 

population. 

Only 7.4% of all the people who were members of racial and ethnic minority populations were 65+ in 

2011 (9.2% of African-Americans (not Hispanic), 5.7% of Hispanics, 9.8% of Asians and Pacific 

Islanders (not Hispanic), 8.4% of American Indians and Native Alaskans (not Hispanic)) compared with 

16.7% of non-Hispanic whites.

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates and Projections.)

Geographic Distribution

The proportion of older persons in the population varies considerably by state with some states 

experiencing much greater growth in their older populations (Figures 4 and 5). In 2011, over half (51%) 

of persons 65+ lived in 9 states: California (4.4 million); Florida (3.4 million); New York (2.7 million); 

Texas (2.7 million); Pennsylvania (2.0 million); and Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina and each 

had well over 1 million (Figure 6).

Persons 65+ constituted approximately 15% or more of the total population in 11 states in 2011: Florida 

(17.6%); Maine (16.3%); West Virginia (16.2%); Pennsylvania (15.6%); Montana (15.2%); Arkansas 

(15%); Delaware (15%); Hawaii (15%); Iowa (15%); Rhode Island (15%); and Vermont (15.0%). In 13 

states, the 65+ population increased by 30% or more between 2000 and 2011: Alaska (58%), Nevada 

(53%), Arizona (37%), Colorado (37%), Georgia (37%), Idaho (37 %), South Carolina (35%), Utah 

(35%), New Mexico (33%), North Carolina (32%), Delaware (31%), Texas (30%), and Washington 

(30%). The 17 jurisdictions with poverty rates at or over 10% for elderly during 2011 were: Mississippi 

(13.5%), Louisiana (12.7%), District of Columbia (12.5%), Kentucky (11.8%), New Mexico (11.8%), 

New York (11.7%), Texas (11.4%), South Dakota (11.1%), Georgia (10.9%), Tennessee (10.7%), 

Arkansas (10.5%), North Dakota (10.5%), Alabama (10.3%), Rhode Island (10.2%), South Carolina 

(10.1%), California (10.0%), and Florida (10.0%) (Figure 6): 

Most persons 65+ lived in metropolitan areas in 2011 (81%). About 66% of these older persons lived 

outside principal cities and 34% lived inside principal cities. Also, 19% of older persons lived outside of 

metropolitan areas.

The elderly are less likely to change residence than other age groups. From 2011 to 2012, only 3% of 

older persons moved as opposed to 14% of the under 65 population. Most older movers (61%) stayed in 

the same county and 83% remained in the same state. Only 16% of the movers moved from out-of-state

or abroad.

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Figure 6: The 65+ Population by State 2011

State

Number of 

Persons 65 and 

Older

Percent of All 

Ages

Percent Increase 

from 2000 to 2011

Percent Below 

Poverty 2011

US Total (50 States + 

DC) 41,394,141 13.30% 18.03% 8.7%

Alabama 672,586 14.00% 15.86% 10.3%

Alaska 58,213 8.10% 58.11% 6.3%

Arizona 921,835 14.20% 37.30% 8.5%

Arkansas 429,099 14.60% 14.56% 10.5%

California 4,398,624 11.70% 21.88% 10.0%

Colorado 575,820 11.30% 37.23% 7.8%

Connecticut 515,459 14.40% 9.47% 6.8%

Delaware 133,464 14.70% 30.73% 5.7%

District of Columbia 70,179 11.40% 0.65% 12.5%

Florida 3,360,195 17.60% 19.51% 10.0%

Georgia 1,077,512 11.00% 36.51% 10.9%

Hawaii 202,544 14.70% 25.23% 8.2%

Idaho 202,433 12.80% 37.28% 6.8%

Illinois 1,640,765 12.70% 9.23% 8.2%

Indiana 858,087 13.20% 13.64% 7.2%

Iowa 457,738 14.90% 4.82% 6.9%

Kansas 382,661 13.30% 7.26% 7.2%

Kentucky 591,851 13.50% 17.24% 11.8%

Louisiana 572,440 12.50% 10.87% 12.7%

Maine 216,218 16.30% 17.50% 8.0%

Maryland 729,488 12.50% 21.32% 7.5%

Massachusetts 921,889 14.00% 7.08% 9.3%

Michigan 1,389,155 14.10% 13.59% 8.2%

Minnesota 701,768 13.10% 17.56% 8.0%

Mississippi 388,071 13.00% 13.15% 13.5%

Missouri 854,652 14.20% 13.07% 8.2%

Montana 151,452 15.20% 24.97% 8.1%

Nebraska 250,382 13.60% 7.71% 7.8%

Nevada 339,478 12.50% 53.10% 9.4%

New Hampshire 184,376 14.00% 24.19% 6.2%

New Jersey 1,208,360 13.70% 8.48% 7.8%

New Mexico 282,375 13.60% 32.61% 11.8%

New York 2,664,694 13.70% 8.62% 11.7%

North Carolina 1,278,786 13.20% 31.67% 9.7%

North Dakota 98,595 14.40% 4.45% 10.5%

Ohio 1,648,444 14.30% 9.26% 7.7%

Oklahoma 517,654 13.70% 13.70% 9.5%

Oregon 553,061 14.30% 25.87% 7.4%

Pennsylvania 1,981,565 15.60% 3.31% 8.0%

Rhode Island 154,143 14.70% 1.16% 10.2%

South Carolina 658,561 14.10% 35.34% 10.1%

South Dakota 118,653 14.40% 9.81% 11.1%

Tennessee 879,651 13.70% 24.86% 10.7%

Texas 2,706,029 10.50% 30.21% 11.4%

Utah 259,221 9.20% 35.28% 5.3%

Vermont 94,122 15.00% 20.75% 7.0%

Virginia 1,011,063 12.50% 27.36% 7.5%

Washington 864,873 12.70% 30.15% 8.5%

West Virginia 300,970 16.20% 8.80% 9.4%

Wisconsin 792,620 13.90% 12.49% 7.5%

Wyoming 72,267 12.70% 24.33% 6.2%

Puerto Rico 600,927 15.00% 40.00% 39.00%

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1) Population Estimates and Projections; 2) American 

Community Survey; 3) Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement; and 4) International 

Data Base.)

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Income

The median income of older persons in 2011 was $27,707 for males and $15,362 for females. From 2010 

to 2011, median money income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed by older people 

rose 2% but this was not statistically significant. Households containing families headed by persons 65+ 

reported a median income in 2011 of $48,538 ($50,658 for non-Hispanic Whites, $33,809 for Hispanics, 

$39,533 for African-Americans, and $50,971 for Asians). About 5% of family households with an elderly 

householder had incomes less than $15,000 and 67% had incomes of $35,000 or more (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Percent Distribution by Income: 2011

$48,538 median for 14.4 million family households 65+

$19,939 median for 40.2 million persons 65+ reporting income.

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For all older persons reporting income in 2011 (40.2 million), 17.8% reported less than $10,000 and 40% 

reported $25,000 or more. The median income reported was $19,939.

The major sources of income as reported by older persons in 2010 were Social Security (reported by 86% 

of older persons), income from assets (reported by 52%), private pensions (reported by 27%), government 

employee pensions (reported by 15%), and earnings (reported by 26%). In 2010, Social Security benefits

accounted for 37% of the aggregate income of the older population. The bulk of the remainder consisted 

of earnings (30%), asset income (11%), and pensions (18%). Social Security constituted 90% or more of 

the income received by 36% of beneficiaries (23% of married couples and 46% of non-married 

beneficiaries).

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1) Current Population Survey, Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement; and 2) "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 

2011," P60-243, issued September, 2012. The Social Security Administration’s “Fast Facts and Figures 

About Social Security, 2012.”)

Poverty

Over 3.6 million elderly persons (8.7%) were below the poverty level in 2011. This poverty rate is not 

statistically different from the poverty rate in 2010 (8.9%). Another 2.4 million or 5.8% of the elderly 

were classified as "near-poor" (income between the poverty level and 125% of this level).

Just over 1.6 million older Whites (not Hispanic) (6.7%) were poor in 2011, compared to 17.3% of 

elderly African-Americans, 11.7% of Asians, and 18.7% of elderly Hispanics. Higher than average

poverty rates were found in 2011 for older persons who lived inside principal cities (11.7%) and in the 

South (10.1%).

Older women had a higher poverty rate (10.7%) than older men (6.2%) in 2011. Older persons living 

alone were much more likely to be poor (16.5%) than were older persons living with families (5%). The 

highest poverty rates were experienced among older Hispanic women (38.8%) who lived alone and also 

by older Black women (32.2%) who lived alone.

In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau released a new Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). The SPM 

methodology shows a significantly higher number of older persons below poverty than is shown by the 

official poverty measure. For persons 65 and older this poverty measure shows a poverty level of 15.1% 

in 2011 (more than 6 percentage points higher than the official rate of 8.7%). Unlike the official poverty 

rate, the SPM takes into account regional variations in the cost of housing etc. and, even more 

significantly, the impact of both non-cash benefits received (e.g., SNAP/food stamps, low income tax 

credits, WIC, etc.) and non-discretionary expenditures including medical out-of-pocket (MOOP) 

expenses. For persons 65 and over, MOOP was the major source of the significant differences between 

these measures. Bear in mind that the SPM does not replace the official poverty measure.

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1) Current Population Survey, Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement;2) "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011," 

P60-243, issued September, 2012; and 3) “The Research Supplemental Poverty Measure,” P60-244, 

issued November 2012.)

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Housing

Of the 25.1 million households headed by older persons in 2011, 81% were owners and 19% were renters. 

The median family income of older homeowners was $32,900. The median family income of older renters 

was $16,200. In 2011, almost 50% of older householders spent more than one-fourth of their income on 

housing costs - 43% for owners and 71% for renters - as compared to 50% of all householders.

For older homeowners in 2011, the median construction year was 1970 compared with 1976 for all 

homeowners. Among the homes owned by people age 65 and older, 3.3% had physical problems. In 

2011, the median value of homes owned by older persons was $150,000 (with a median purchase price of 

$55,000) compared to a median home value of $160,000 for all homeowners. About 65% of older 

homeowners in 2011 owned their homes free and clear.

(Based on online data sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, available from 

the U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey, National Tables: 2011.)

Employment 

In 2012, 7.7 million (18.5 %) Americans age 65 and over were in the labor force (working or actively 

seeking work), including 4.3 million men (23.6%) and 3.4 million women (14.4%). They constituted 5% 

of the U.S. labor force. About 6.2% were unemployed. Labor force participation of men 65+ decreased 

steadily from 2 of 3 in 1900 to 15.8% in 1985; then stayed at 16%-18% until 2002; and has been 

increasing since then to over 20%. The participation rate for women 65+ rose slightly from 1 of 12 in 

1900 to 10.8% in 1956, fell to 7.3% in 1985, was around 7%-9% from 1986 – 2002. However, beginning 

in 2000, labor force participation of older women has been gradually rising to the 2012 level. This 

increase is especially noticeable among the population aged 65-69.

(Based on online data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey, Labor Force 

Statistics.)

Education

The educational level of the older population is increasing. Between 1970 and 2012, the percentage of 

older persons who had completed high school rose from 28% to 81%. About 24% in 2012 had a 

bachelor's degree or higher. The percentage who had completed high school varied considerably by race 

and ethnic origin in 2012: 86% of Whites (not Hispanic), 74% of Asians, 69% of African-Americans, 

69% of American Indian/Alaska Natives, and 49.0% of Hispanics. The increase in educational levels is 

also evident within these groups. In 1970, only 30% of older Whites and 9% of older African-Americans 

were high school graduates.

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement.)

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Health and Health Care 

In 2012, 44% of noninstitutionalized older persons assessed their health as excellent or very good 

(compared to 64% for persons aged 18-64 years). There was little difference between the sexes on this 

measure, but older African-Americans (not Hispanic) (25.8%), older American Indians/Alaska Natives

(29%), older Asians (33%), and older Hispanics (29.7%) were less likely to rate their health as excellent 

or very good than were older Whites (not Hispanic) (44.7%). Most older persons have at least one chronic 

condition and many have multiple conditions. In 2009-2011, the most frequently occurring conditions 

among older persons were: diagnosed arthritis (51%), all types of heart disease (31%), any cancer (24%), 

diagnosed diabetes (20% in 2007-2010), and hypertension (high blood pressure or taking antihypertensive 

medication) (72 percent in 2007-2010).

In 2012, 68% of people age 65 and over reported that they received an influenza vaccination during the 

past 12 months and 60% reported that they had ever received a pneumococcal vaccination. About 28% (of 

persons 60+) reported height/weight combinations that placed them among the obese. Almost 45% of 

persons aged 65-74 and 29% of persons 75+ reported that they engaged in regular leisure-time physical 

activity. Only 9% reported that they are current smokers and 6% reported excessive alcohol consumption.

Only 2% reported that they had experienced psychological distress during the past 30 days.

In 2010, about 13.6 million persons aged 65 and older were discharged from short stay hospitals. This is a 

rate of 3,326.4 for every 10,000 persons aged 65+ which is about three times the comparable rate for 

persons of all ages (which was 1,102 per 10,000). The average length of stay for persons aged 65-74 was 

5.4 days; for ages 75-84 it was 5.7 days; and for ages 85 and over it was 5.6 days. The comparable rate 

for persons of all ages was 4.8 days. The average length of stay for older people has decreased by 5 days 

since 1980. Older persons averaged more office visits with doctors in 2011. Among people age 75 and 

over, 21 percent had 10 or more visits to a doctor or other health care professional in the past 12 months 

compared to 14 percent among people age 45 to 64. In 2012, almost 96% of older persons reported that 

they did have a usual place to go for medical care and only 2.4% said that they failed to obtain needed 

medical care during the previous 12 months due to financial barriers.

In 2011 older consumers averaged out-of-pocket health care expenditures of $4,769, an increase of 46%

since 2000. In contrast, the total population spent considerably less, averaging $3,313 in out-of-pocket 

costs. Older Americans spent 12.2% of their total expenditures on health, almost twice the proportion 

spent by all consumers (6.7%). Health costs incurred on average by older consumers in 2011 consisted of 

$3,076 (64%) for insurance, $786 (16%) for medical services, $714 (15%) for drugs, and $193 (4.0%) for 

medical supplies.

(Based on online data from the National Center for Health Statistics’ 1) Health Data Interactive data 

warehouse; and 2) Early Release of Selected Estimates Based on Data From the January–September 

2012 National Health Interview Survey. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey.)

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Health Insurance Coverage

In 2011, almost all (93%) non-institutionalized persons 65+ were covered by Medicare. Medicare 

covers mostly acute care services and requires beneficiaries to pay part of the cost, leaving about half of 

health spending to be covered by other sources. About 58% had some type of private health insurance.

Over 9% had military-based health insurance and 9% of the non-institutionalized elderly were covered 

by Medicaid (Figure 8). Less than 2% did not have coverage of some kind. About 86% of noninstitutionalized Medicare beneficiaries in 2009 had some type of supplementary coverage. Among 

Medicare beneficiaries residing in nursing homes, almost half (49%) were covered by Medicaid.

Figure 8:

Note: Figure 8 data are for the non-institutionalized elderly. A person can be represented in 

more than one category. 

(Based on online data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Medicare Current 

Beneficiary Survey. The U.S. Census Bureau’s "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in 

the United States: 2011," P60-243, issued September, 2012.)

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Disability and Activity Limitations 

Some type of disability (i.e., difficulty in hearing, vision, cognition, ambulation, self-care, or independent 

living) was reported by 35% of men and 38% of women age 65+ in 2011. Some of these disabilities may 

be relatively minor but others cause people to require assistance to meet important personal needs. There 

is a strong relationship between disability status and reported health status. Presence of a severe disability 

is also associated with lower income levels and educational attainment.

Using limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to 

measure disability, 28% of community-resident Medicare beneficiaries age 65+ reported difficulty in 

performing one or more ADL and an additional 12% reported difficulty with one or more IADL. By 

contrast, 92% of institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries had difficulties with one or more ADLs and 76% 

of them had difficulty with three or more ADLs. [ADLs include bathing, dressing, eating, and getting 

around the house. IADLs include preparing meals, shopping, managing money, using the telephone, 

doing housework, and taking medication.] Limitations in activities because of chronic conditions increase 

with age. As shown in Figure 9, the rate of limitations in activities among noninstitutionalized persons 85 

and older are much higher than those for persons 65-74.

Figure 9:

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Except where noted, the figures above are taken from surveys of the noninstitutionalized elderly.

Although nursing homes are being increasingly used for short-stay post-acute care, about 1.3 million 

elderly are in nursing homes (more than half are age 85 and over). These individuals often need care with 

their ADLs and/or have severe cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

(Based on online data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The Centers for 

Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. The National Center for Health 

Statistics, including the NCHS Health Data Interactive data warehouse.)

Notes: 

*Principal sources of data for the Profile are the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health 

Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Profile incorporates the latest data available but not all 

items are updated on an annual basis.

A Profile of Older Americans: 2012 was developed by the Administration on Aging (AoA), 

Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

AoA serves as an advocate for the elderly within the federal government and is working to encourage and 

coordinate a responsive system of family and community based services throughout the nation. AoA 

helps states develop comprehensive service systems which are administered by 56 State and Territorial 

Units on Aging, 629 Area Agencies on Aging, 246 Native American and Hawaiian organizations, and 

approximately 20,000 local service providers.

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