One-third of all people over 65 live at or below the poverty level. Although working age women and minorities earn less than white males, income and resources tend to equalize for elders. The life expectancy for a person who is 65 years old is about 12 more years. Life span is about 144 years. Most older people do not see their families very often.
Elders have a higher utilization rate for health care servicesthan younger age groups.
Health care is a substantial proportion of the total federal budget.