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Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United
States. They are also leading drivers of the nation's $4.1 trillion in annual health care costs.
For most older adults, good health ensures independence, security, and productivity as they age.
Yet millions struggle every day with health and safety challenges such as chronic disease, falls, and mental health issues—all of which can severely impact quality of life.
Get the facts on healthy aging and older adults.
Nearly 56 million Americans are 65 and older, with projections estimating that the population of older adults will grow to 94.7 million in 2060.1 On average, a 65-year old can expect to live another 17 years.2 For most older adults, good health ensures independence, security, and productivity as they age. Unfortunately, millions struggle every day with challenges such as chronic diseases, falls, physical inactivity, oral health concerns, and behavioral health issues—all of which can severely impact quality of life.
Chronic Diseases Older adults are disproportionately affected by chronic conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Nearly 95% percent have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 80% of have two or more.
The leading causes of death among older adults in the U.S. are heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Chronic diseases can limit a person’s ability to perform daily activities, cause them to lose their independence, and result in the need for institutional care, in-home caregivers, or other long-term services and supports.
Multiple chronic diseases account for two-thirds of all health care costs5 and 93% of Medicare spending.6 Yet, less than 3% of U.S. health care dollars is spent on prevention to improve overall health.
Falls
More than one out of four older adults falls each year.
3 million adults 65+ are treated in emergency departments for unintentional fall injuries each year.
As a result of falls, every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults, causing hip fractures, head trauma, and death.
Older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than for injuries from other causes.
Between 2000 and 2020, rates of deadly falls increased for all older adults, with the greatest increase among those age 85 and older. For adults 85+, the rate tripled among women from 99.2 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 269.8 in 2020 and doubled among men from 145.4 in 2000 to 329.6 in 2020.
The nation spends $50 billion a year treating older adults for the effects of falls, 75% of which is paid for by Medicare and
Medicaid.10 If falls rates are not reduced, direct treatment costs are projected to reach $101 billion by 2030.
Fear of falling can lead older adults to limit their activities, which can result in more falls, further physical decline, depression, and social isolation.
Physical Activity
Regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems that come with age.
According to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, older adults should do two types of physical activities each week to improve their health—aerobic and muscle-strengthening.
These guidelines recommend that older adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week and muscle strengthening activities on two or more days a week.
A 2014 study found that 28% of adults aged 50 and over surveyed reported no physical activity, aside from their regular job, over the past month.
Oral Health
Oral health is important for overall health and well-being, but 35% of older adults have not seen a dentist in the last year.
About 17% of older adults no longer have any natural teeth.
Of those with teeth, about 16% of older adults have untreated tooth decay,17 and over 70% have periodontal (gum) disease.
Poor oral health can negatively impact nutrition and proper management of chronic conditions.
Behavioral Health
One in four older adults experiences a behavioral health problem such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.
These problems can complicate the treatment of other medical conditions, reduce quality of life, increase use of health care services, and lead to premature death.
In 2020, nearly 14,500 people 60+ died by suicide. Men aged 85+ have a suicide rate that is about four times higher than the rate for all ages.
Excessive alcohol use accounts for more than 23,000 deaths among older Americans each year.
Depression and other behavioral health problems are not a normal part of aging and can be treated. Despite the availability of effective interventions, 66% of older adults are not receiving the care they need.
Infectious Disease Prevention
Nearly nine in 10 deaths from COVID are among people 65 and over, and 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While lifesaving vaccines are available, research shows COVID vaccine uptake has slowed among older adults.
New research shows that older adults may be at a higher risk of Long COVID, a post-COVID condition in which virus symptoms persist, return or develop. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), possible risk factors include older age and preexisting health conditions.
National Council on Aging's Role
The National Council on Aging's (NCOA) Center for Healthy Aging believe that every person has a right to age well and focuses on improving the lives of older adults by producing solutions that address social and behavioral determinants of health and wellbeing. The Center houses three National Resource Centers funded by the U.S. Administration for
Community Living’s Administration on Aging.
Chronic Disease Management
NCOA’s National Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Resource Center provides leadership, technical assistance, and resources to support state and community-based partners in expanding and sustaining evidence-based programs, including the suite of Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs, originally developed by Stanford
University. These programs, which are available in the community and online, help older adults better manage their chronic conditions and improve their quality of life.
Falls Prevention
NCOA’s National Falls Prevention Resource Center serves as a national clearinghouse for information on falls prevention and supports the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based Falls Prevention Programs. The Falls Free® Initiative, a national effort, includes State Coalitions and the 2015 Falls Free® National Action Plan to reduce falls and fall-related injuries among older adults.
Mar 13, 2023
