Click here to find nonprofit organizations working to provide solutions for these issues.
According to a 2005 survey done by Family Eldercare of Austin, while 89 percent of older adults live in their own homes, many need access to essential services and support to help them continue to live independently. Furthermore, 14 percent of survey respondents reported needing help with grocery shopping, 12 percent said they needed some type of help in managing their health care, an equal number said they needed help managing their finances, and 9 percent felt they needed protection from identity theft or other scams. One quarter of these senior citizens said that loneliness is a problem for them. www.familyeldercare.org/about/
During the 1990's, the Austin area ranked third nationwide in the growth rate of its elderly population. Between 2000 and 2005, the Austin-San Marcos MSA's elderly population experienced more growth (20.6 percent) than any other MSA in Texas. www.familyeldercare.org/about/
Currently, one in five households in Travis county is caring for an elderly relative. www.familyeldercare.org/about/
- In the Austin area, the senior population is projected to increase by 135 percent between now and 2020.
- The number of people 65 and older in the U.S. is projected to increase 147 percent from 2000 to 2050.
- Seniors comprised 12 percent of the population in 2006; that figure increases to 21 percent by 2050.
- Currently, whites comprise 72 percent of older adults in our state; by 2040, minorities will constitute about half of all older Texans.
- About 75 percent of nursing home residents are women.
- 24 percent of older adults in Travis County say loneliness is a problem for them.
- About 75 percent of case-managed homebound clients served by Meals on Wheels and More suffer from mild to moderate depression.
- In 2006, there were 754 confirmed cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults 65 and older in Travis County.
- One in five Travis County households is caring for elderly residents.
- From 2005 to 2015, older adults in Travis County needing daily assistance will increase 42 percent.
- Nine out of 10 seniors in Travis County live in their own homes. But 33 percent need help maintenance and repairs, 32 percent have difficulty or cannot perform heavy housework, 20 percent cannot cook for themselves, and 13 percent have difficulty or cannot shop for groceries.
- 47 percent of seniors have arthritis or rheumatism, 28 percent are blind or visually impaired, and 25 percent suffer from osteoporosis
- 13 percent of seniors are caregivers for others.
- 19 percent rely on assistance for food preparation or delivery.
- One in five older adults in Travis County report worrying about their own safety.
- Sixty percent of nursing home residents receive no visitors.