Mid-life women are more likely to be unemployed or to work part time in industries that do not offer benefits. If they are dependent upon a spouse s plan, they are vulnerable to losing coverage due to separation, divorce, or their spouse s retirement, unemployment or death. They are less likely than men to afford nursing homes, home care or private long-term care insurance. Still, older women are at much higher risk of chronic diseases and disabling conditions. And older minority women who do not speak English face serious challenges in accessing health care.
Women are primary caregivers for spouses, family, friends, and grandchildren.
By the year 2020, older women will account for 85 percent of persons age 65 and older who live alone. Older women are at great risk of becoming isolated if they do not have access to community or other supportive services and if they develop chronic ailments or become disabled or frail. They are more likely to be fearful of crime and restrict their activities outside their homes, cutting themselves off from needed assistance. Older women living alone in rural areas are faced with other unique challenges. Home, community and faith-based services, which include personal care services, assistance with household tasks, transportation, and attention to health needs are critical to the well being of older women.