What Age Is Considered Elderly?

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) says the “elderly” are those over 65 years old. In 1987, there were just over 30 million elderly people in the United States. This made up more than 12 percent of the total U.S. population.

The elderly group is growing faster than the total U.S. population. This is known as “the graying of America.” The Census Bureau predicts the population over 65 will jump by more than 100 percent. It will go from 12 percent to nearly 21 percent of the total population (67 million) by 2030.

Key Takeaways

The traditional definition of “elderly” refers to those aged 65 and older.

The elderly population in the U.S. has grown rapidly, from 30 million in 1987 to an expected 67 million by 2030.
The aging of the U.S. population is a significant demographic shift, often referred to as “the graying of America.”
Understanding the dynamics of the elderly population is crucial for addressing their unique needs and challenges.

The growing proportion of elderly individuals will have far-reaching economic and social implications for the country.

Defining the Elderly Population

In the United States, the “elderly” are those aged 65 and older. By 1987, there were over 30 million elderly people, making up more than 12% of the population. Almost 96% of Medicare recipients are part of this group.

The Elderly Population is growing fast. From 2010 to 2020, it increased by 38.6%, reaching 55.8 million. In 2023, almost all U.S. metro areas saw more older adults.

Traditional Definition: Age 65 and Older

The World Health Organization says older or elderly people are those 65 and above. This definition is widely used to identify the Elderly Population. It helps guide policies, programs, and research on aging.

Understanding this group is key because they have unique needs. They differ from younger people in many ways, including their health and living situations.

Characteristic	Elderly Population (Age 65+)
Population Size	55.8 million (2020)
Percentage of Total U.S. Population	16.9% (2020)
Medicare Enrollment	Almost 96% of the Elderly Population

The Elderly Population is growing and changing. It’s important to regularly check and update how we define this group. Research and policy talks will help make sure older adults’ needs are met in the future.

Growth and Aging of the Elderly Population

The Aging Population, often called the “Graying of America,” is a big change in the U.S. The number of older people is growing faster than the total population. From 1960 to 1986, people aged 65 and older went up by 75 percent. Meanwhile, those under 65 only increased by 30 percent.

This trend will keep going. The NCBI Bookshelf says by 2030, the U.S. population will grow by 26 percent. But, the 65+ age group will jump by over 100 percent, from 12 to nearly 21 percent of all people (67 million).

More older people are coming due to living longer, the Baby Boomer aging, and fewer births. This change affects many parts of society, like healthcare, social services, the workforce, and the economy.

Statistic	Value
Americans ages 65 and older in 2022	58 million
Projected Americans ages 65 and older by 2050	82 million
Projected increase in share of population ages 65 and older by 2050	23%
Increase in median age of U.S. population between 1980 and 2022	8.9 years

The Aging Population and the Graying of America mean big changes for the U.S. population. It’s important for policymakers, healthcare workers, and everyone to understand these trends. This helps us meet the needs of our changing population.

Sociodemographic Characteristics of the Age Is Considered Elderly

The elderly population is growing, and it’s key to know what defines them. We see interesting facts about the sex ratios and racial makeup of the elderly in the U.S.

Sex Ratios and Racial Composition

Research shows that in 1986, for people over 65, there were almost as many women as men. For those 85 and older, there were twice as many women. This shows women make up a big part of the elderly group.

In 1986, about 89 percent of the elderly were white. This is more than the non-elderly, who were 80 percent white. Whites made up 13 percent of the elderly, while Blacks made up 8 percent, and Hispanics 5 percent.

Demographic	Percentage of Elderly Population	Percentage of Non-Elderly Population
White	89%	80%
Black	8%	N/A
Hispanic	5%	N/A

These numbers clearly show the Elderly Demographics, Sex Ratios, and Racial Composition of the elderly in the U.S. Knowing these facts helps make policies and services for the elderly better.

Living Arrangements and Support Ratios

The number of elderly people is growing, making it key to know how they live and their support ratios. Most older adults, about 95 percent, live in the community. Of these, 54 percent live with a spouse, and nearly 30 percent live alone. The rest, 16 percent, live with children, relatives, or friends.

More elderly people live alone as they get older. For those aged 65 to 74, 24 percent live alone. This number goes up to 39 percent for those aged 75 to 84, and 45 percent for those 85 and older. Women make up most of the elderly living alone, being four-fifths of this group.

Living Arrangement	Percentage
Living with spouse	54%
Living alone	30%
Living with children, relatives, or friends	16%

The elderly support ratio is also important. It shows how many elderly people there are for every working-age person. This ratio has grown a lot, from about 7 elderly per 100 working-age people in 1900 to around 20 per 100 in 1986. By 2030, it’s expected to be about 37 elderly per 100 working-age individuals.

These changes have big effects on society, affecting healthcare, social services, and the economy. Knowing about Elderly Living Arrangements and Elderly Support Ratios helps policymakers plan for the aging population’s needs.

Redefining Elderly Age: Alternative Viewpoints

Exploring Elderly Age Definitions shows us new ways to think about aging. Traditional ideas say elderly start at 65, but new research and cultures offer deeper insights.

One study breaks older adults into three groups: the young old (60 to 69 years), the middle old (70 to 79 years), and the very old (80 years and older). This view shows how aging is different for everyone.

In Japan, they see people under 75 as Pre-old. This view sees aging as changing, and the old ways of defining it might not fully capture its complexity.

Experts like Chip Conley, Dr. William Thomas, and Dr. Louise Aronson suggest using “elder” to change how we see aging. They highlight the need for respect, energy, and the wisdom of Pre-old and elderly people.

“The concept of ‘prospective age’ is introduced to compare individuals living in different periods and places with varying life expectancies.”

New ideas question the idea that 65 marks the start of elderly age. As we face the challenges of aging, we need a broader view of this important life stage.

Economic and Social Implications of an Aging Population

More people are living longer, which brings big economic and social challenges. In 17 countries, over 20% of people are now 65 or older. Japan leads with 28.2%. This change is making retirement funding and healthcare systems very hard to manage.

Funding 30-year retirements from a 40-year career is very costly. Governments and pension providers are struggling. They’re looking at ways to fix this, like raising retirement ages, cutting social security, or increasing taxes. But, these solutions have their own problems.

An aging population also brings social challenges. With fewer people working, businesses face labor shortages. Healthcare systems are finding it hard to meet the needs of older adults.

Country	Population 65+ (% of total)
Japan	28.2%
Italy	22.8%
Finland	21.9%

We need to change how we see retirement as the world ages. Instead of seeing older people as unable to contribute, we should see their value. They can still be active and productive members of society. By changing our views, we can find new opportunities and lessen the economic and social challenges of longer lives.

“The decline in the working-age population leads to a supply shortage of qualified workers and poses challenges for businesses.”

Conclusion

Looking back at the topic of defining elderly age, we see the traditional view of 65 and older is still common. Yet, there are new ideas that suggest a more detailed approach. The growing number of elderly people in the U.S. brings big economic and social challenges. It’s important to rethink how we see aging.

Research shows a shift in how different ages view old age. A 64-year-old might think old age starts around 74.7 years. But a 74-year-old thinks it begins at 76.8 years on average. This shows that people are living longer and healthier lives, making them see old age differently.

It’s also interesting that women think old age starts later than men. This is something we should look into more.

We need to keep challenging old stereotypes and views on aging. By rethinking what it means to be elderly, we can support older adults better. We can make sure they are included in our communities. Understanding aging in a deeper way helps us get ready for the changes our aging population brings.

FAQ

What is the traditional definition of “elderly”?

The traditional definition of “elderly” is for people aged 65 and older, as stated by the NCBI Bookshelf.

How has the elderly population in the United States grown over time?

The elderly population in the U.S. has grown much faster than the total population, known as “the graying of America.” By 2030, those 65 and older will make up nearly 21 percent of the population, up from 12 percent now.

What are the sociodemographic characteristics of the elderly population?

In 1986, the elderly had almost as many women as men, with more women at 85 and older. Most elderly and nonelderly were white, making up about 89 and 80 percent, respectively.

How do the living arrangements and support ratios of the elderly population differ?

Most elderly live in the community, with 54 percent with a spouse, 30 percent alone, and 16 percent with others. The elderly support ratio is rising, from 7 per 100 working-age people in 1900 to 20 in 1986, and is expected to reach 37 by 2030.

Are there alternative viewpoints on defining the age considered elderly?

Yes, some define older adults as young old (60-69), middle old (70-79), or very old (80+). Japan calls those under 75 “pre-old.” Aging is seen in five stages: independence, interdependence, dependency, crisis management, and end of life.

What are the economic and social implications of an aging population?

An aging population brings big challenges, like the cost of funding long retirements. It strains Social Security and pension systems. The author suggests rethinking retirement ages, as many in their 60s and 70s can still work and contribute.