Clyde's Corner

by Clyde Lindley

“Quotable Quotes”

“Our most valuable possessions are those which can be shared without lessening those which, when shared, multiply.” – William H. Danforth

Task Force - “ a larger group of the incapable appoints a smaller group of the unwilling to do the unnecessary.” – Unknown

“ we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“ friends are best. King James used to call for his oldest shoes, they were the easiest for his feet.” – Selden

“ thou love life. Then do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of.” – Benjamin Franklin

“ make perfection, but perfection itself is no trifle.” – Michael Angelo

The Aging of Americans

The predictions for changes in the size and composition of the U.S. population will have a tremendous impact on cities, counties, states, the federal government, and upon assessment activities in the future.1 In the next century the changes in our population will make our society quite different from what it is today.

Currently there are about 33.5 million elderly (65 or older), one-eighth of the total population; by 2020 this will swell to over 53 million and to 70 million by 2030, one-fifth of the total population! This dramatic increase in our aging population is due to the Baby Boomers becoming 65 and older (see Clyde's Corner, ACN, June 1996, The Challenge for Baby Boomers). Boomers will become 65 starting with the year 2011 and continue reaching 65 through 2030. On any day during that period about 10,000 will become 65, or 300,000 in one month, or 3,650,000 in a year!

We can no longer regard our nation as a youth oriented culture — in 1950 half the population was under age 30, but in 1994 we had as many persons 60 or older as children under 14 years. This table dramatizes the change for the future:

	Percent of Total Population
	1980	2030
Children	28%	21%
Elderly	11%	22%

Currently about 1 in 8 Americans are elderly (65 or over). By 2030 it could be 1 in 5. The fastest growing group are those 85 and over (Oldest old). This group is currently estimated at about 3.5 million (and nearly 1.2 million 90 or older), by 2010 about 6 million, by 2030 about 8.8 million, and by 2050 almost 19 million! In 1994 72% of the population 85 and over were women.

Currently there are about 20 million elderly women, about 6 million more than men. The difference grows with advancing age. At ages 65 to 69 women outnumber men 6 to 5; for those 85 and over women outnumber men 5 to 2.

The composition of the elderly population 65 and over will change dramatically in the future. The White, non- Hispanic represented 86.7 per cent of the population in 1990; in 2030 it is estimated to by 74.6 per cent. In 1990 the Black elderly population was 2.5 million; by 2030 it's 6.8 million, and by 2050, 8.4 million. The Hispanic elderly in 1990 was 1.1 million, by 2030, 7.6 million (more than Blacks), and by 2050, 12.5 million. Other races and ethnicity will add to the above diversity. There will be marked differences in culture, social customs, economic and health conditions not only between these groups but within the people in each group.

The term "elderly" may seem to imply that the elderly are all alike. However, the elderly, at any age are not alike. An outstanding characteristic is their heterogeneity. Groups of older persons are as heterogeneous as other groups, with the exception that all the members are at least age 65. A basic fact is that people age differently, that the elderly are very heterogeneous in their characteristics, and the outstanding characteristic is their diversity.2 "Older workers have declined as a share of the nation's work force. In 1970, persons 55 and over represented 19 per cent of all adult workers; 1993 they represented 13 per cent. Few elderly are in the labor force. Only 16 percent of elderly men and 8 percent of elderly women were labor force participants in 1993."1 Predictions for the future are difficult because of such factors as social security benefits, health and economic need, job availability, discrimination, etc. Nevertheless, today's older women and those of the future are likely to participate in the work force, but it is unsure of how this will apply to elderly women.

In order to cope with the future of an aging society planning is needed NOW.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Current Population Reports, Special Studies, pp 23-190. 65+ in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, DC, 1996.
Lindley, C.J. (1989). Who is the older person. Chapter 2, in Hunt, T. & Lindley, C.J. (Eds.), Testing Older Adults: A Reference Guide for Geropshychological assessments, 349 pgs, PRO-ED; Distribution by Center for Psychological Service, Silver Springs, MD.

Clyde is the Director of the Center for Psychological Services, 1608 Sanford Road, Silver Springs, MD 20902. Phone (301) 754-1070.