10,000 Americans Turn 65 Every Day; Why It Matters

With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, governments are scrambling to ensure that older adults will have access to daily needs, healthcare, and safe, affordable housing and have the opportunity to ‘age in place’ in their own communities.

According to an article by Susan Miller in Route Fifty, “the number of people 65 years old or older makes up 18% of the population today. That percentage will swell to 23% by 2054.” This growing proportion of older adults will require more long-term care services and assistance with transportation.

This month, the federal government released a report outlining recommendations for “advancing healthy aging and age-friendly communities.” The report “details the web of services an aging society will need beyond financial security, safe housing and adequate health care, such as accessible communities, age-friendly workplaces and high-quality, long-term services and supports.”

States like Pennsylvania and New Jersey are developing their own plans, prioritizing areas such as affordability, aging in place, and safe and convenient transportation. “The New Jersey Human Services Department is dedicating $5.5 million to launch an age-friendly community grant program later this year.”