Challenges faced by older adults

Over the next 40 years, the population of Americans over age 65 is expected to double from 40 to 80 million, and the population over age 85 is expected to more than triple from 6 to 20 million. An important context for the discussion was provided by panelist and former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, who, like many Americans, approaches the subject through the lens of his own experiences with his parents. Although most Americans want to age in place, the reality, according to U. Department of Health and Human Services senior policy analyst James Toews, is that too many individuals enter long-term care institutions unnecessarily or prematurely. Homes and communities frequently are not designed to address the needs of seniors. Many seniors need assistance performing activities of daily living and live in environments that do not accommodate their functional limitations.

Although older adults have made significant financial gains over the past generation, many experience economic hardship. In , 14 percent of adults ages 65 and older had incomes below percent of the federal poverty level, and 37 percent had incomes below percent of that level. Low-income elders have little wealth to help meet spending needs dominated by housing and healthcare costs. These financial challenges limit housing options, especially for older adults who develop health or memory problems that limit their ability to live independently. Sort by Sort by Relevance Date. Aging and retirement Child welfare Children and youth Climate, disasters, and environment Crime, justice, and safety Economic mobility and inequality Education Evidence-based policy capacity Families Global Issues Health and health care Housing Housing finance Immigrants and immigration Land use Neighborhoods, cities, and metros Nonprofits and philanthropy Race and equity Sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression Social safety net State and local finance Taxes and budgets Wealth and financial well-being Workforce View all. Stories, Data Tools, Blogs.

People in this age group often start having a deficit in sense perception and acquire a problem remembering things. I remember how my grandfather used to ask the same question several times and how we needed to talk louder for him to hear us. Apart from these difficulties, older adults are often worried about the looming loss of their ability to recollect words and details. Fluid reasoning is the power to establish innovative resolutions and compatible thoughts. To help prevent or diminish the debilitating effects of cognitive decline, researchers suggest cognitive training.

The child's eyes, ears and voice in the classroom. Seniors often struggle with reduced reactivity, making it harder to keep up with fast-paced technology, e. Additionally, U. There are reasons to believe that those included in these statistics cannot participate fully in mainstream technology. Health aside, knowledge about technology is also very important to capability, and lack of this is a factor that stops many seniors from participating in communication technology.