Why Aid For Friends - now and in the future - is important - 2000 Census

Regarding the ageing of our population, from the 2000 Census, it was no big surprise; the baby boomers will burgeon the over 65 population between 2010 and 2030.  So much for the future needs of the ageing population and why my prayer for the continuation of AFF free meals and outreach services.

As it is now, Philadelphia still has the highest proportion of people 65 years and   over of the 10 largest U.S. cities, with 213,722 persons. (14.11/. of the total City population) The poverty rate among the elderly in Philadelphia is 16.91% or 36,119 people.

In Pennsylvania the 65 years old and over population represents 15.6% of the state's total population. Pennsylvania is second only to Florida (17.6%) in the highest percentage of people age 65 years and over. (1.9 million  persons)

National -

1. The Very Old - During the 1990s, the most rapid growth of the older population occurred in the oldest age groups.  Astoundingly, the 95 years and over population increased almost 35%.  The population ages 85 to 94 years increased by over 37%.  Women outnumbered men in the 65 years and over population. In 2000, there were 14.4 million men and 20.6 million women aged 65 and over.

2.   Isolation - About 30%(9.7 million) of all non-institutionalizes older persons in 2000 lived alone (7.4 million women, 2.4 million men).  They represented 40% of older women and 17% of older men.  The proportion hiving alone increases with advanced age.  Among women aged 75 and over, for example, half (49.4%) lived alone.

3.   Poverty - 3.4 million (10.2%) were below the poverty level Higher than average poverty rates for older persons were found among those who lived in central cities (12.4%). Older persons living alone or with non-relatives were much more likely to be poor (20.8%) than were older persons living with families(5.1%).

Health, Health Care, Disability - Over 4.5 million (14.2%) had difficulty in carrying out activities of daily living, which include bathing, dressing, eating, getting around the house, preparing meals, shopping, managing money, using the telephone, doing housework and taking medication. In 1999, 26.1% of older persons assessed their health as fair or poor compared to 9.2% for all persons.       In 1998, among those 65-74 years old, 28.8% reported a limitation caused by a chronic condition.  In contrast, over half (50.6%) of those 75 years and over reported they were limited by chronic conditions.