The population of the U.S. is aging and as each individual grows they deserve to live a long, healthy life; creating the environments and opportunities that allow them to do what they value and what makes them happy. 1 But part of being healthy and creating that environment includes accessing and utilizing preventative services, being engaged in the community or social networks, and creating and maintaining healthy habits. However, social, economic, and political factors and disparities perpetuate the underutilization of services and diminishing social networks. Over the years, the U.S. has seen an exponential increase in the number of people who are 65 years and over. In 1900, there were only 3.1 million people 65 and over, that number has risen dramatically to over 50 million in 2017 and is expected to reach 98 million by 2060. 2 While the average life expectancy of Americans at age 65 has also increased to an additional 19.5 years (20.6 for women and 18.1 years for men), aging comes with both health and safety challenges. To mitigate some of the challenges of aging, older adults must be vigilant with their health and well-being and incorporate a healthy, active lifestyle with routine checkups to their doctor.
According to the National Council on Aging, 80 percent of older adults have at least one chronic disease and 77 percent have at least two.3 The most common chronic conditions older Americans face today are heart disease, cancer, chronic bronchitis, stroke, and diabetes. Current smoking and obesity levels have also raised concerns amongst experts about increases in future life expectancy.4 Maintaining physical health and well-being is a challenge at any age. But in addition to keeping their body healthy, older adults must also be proactive in watching their mental health.
Mental disorders such as dementia, depression, and anxiety disorders affect one in four older adults and while they are mostly unpreventable they can be treated. One of the most common mental disorders, depression, is often a side effect of other chronic health conditions. Substance abuse among older adults has also become a growing issue and is expected to affect 5 million older adults by 2020.5 When left untreated, substance abuse and other mental health problems are associated with poor health outcomes, increased mortality, and a higher risk of suicide. By managing other chronic conditions and seeking social support, older adults can treat their mental disorders. Hopefully through management of mental disorders compounded with a healthier lifestyle, communities could see a decrease in suicides among older adults as they currently account for 18 percent of total suicides in the U.S..
Texas, whose overall population is among the country’s youngest, is also home to one of the nation’s largest older populations with nearly 3.5 million.6 Reflecting the U.S. trend, the number is expected to grow and is projected to reach 9.4 million by 2050. Older Texans also share similar rates of chronic conditions. In 2014, 18.4 percent of Texans 65 and older were affected by heart disease, 12 percent had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 28.5 percent suffered from some type of cancer, and 25 percent had diabetes. 7 A 2012 report issued by the Administration for Community Living highlights substance abuse levels and treatment, suicide rates, and mental health among older adults.
While physical and mental health remain a concern among older adults, their growing population presents another issue: long-term care – especially for those with health conditions. Texans are living longer but are simultaneously living with a disability or other health condition that requires additional care.8 This poses a problem because caregivers in Texas and throughout the country are going unpaid and it is becoming more common for family members to shoulder the responsibility and immense financial cost of caring for their loved one. Part of the solution is implementing policies to foster communities that are more conducive to social inclusion of older adults, keeping them in the community and living independently.9
Earlier this year, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS) released their Aging Texas Well Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2021 and long-term care, and physical and mental health are just a few of its target areas. The plan expands beyond the scope of health and incorporates other facets of an older adult’s life such as employment, spirituality, and recreation that can help them live healthier and improve their overall well-being. HHS has also implemented the Texercise group program throughout the state to help alleviate the effects of social isolation that occurs as older Texans lose a number of their social networks mostly due to retirement, declining health, or the passing of their loved ones.10 Other organizations like the Area Agencies on Aging and the Aging and Disability Resource Center are working throughout the state to relieve some of the stress that comes with caring for an older loved one. Other organizations such as Active Texas 2020 are geared towards encouraging individuals of all ages to be physically active. National programs like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Program and STEADI, or initiatives by the National Council on Aging are working on improving the health of those 65 and older. Other useful resources can be found on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Aging page.
- “Ageing and Life-Course,” World Health Organization, n.d., https://www.who.int/ageing/healthy-ageing/en/.
- “Older Adults,” Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d., https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/older-adults.
- “Healthy Aging Facts,” National Council on Aging, n.d., https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/healthy-aging-facts/.
- “2017 Profile of Older Americans” (Administration for Community Living: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, April 2018), https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/Aging%20and%20Disability%20in%20America/2017OlderAmericansProfile.pdf.
- “Healthy Aging Facts.”
- “Helping Aging Texans Age Well,” Texas Medical Association, May 1, 2019, https://www.texmed.org/TexasMedicineDetail.aspx?Pageid=46106&id=50500.
- “Chronic Conditions and Texas’ Aging Population” (Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee, n.d.), https://www.nctcog.org/getattachment/Aging-Services/Publications/ATW_ChronicConditions.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US.
- Edgar Walters, “As State Ages, Families Face Caring for Elderly,” The Texas Tribune, February 15, 2015, https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/15/more-family-members-are-caring-elderly-home/.
- Jacqueline Angel and Andrew Scoggin, “Aging Population Will Cause Significant Strain for Texas. Time to Act Now.,” UT News, May 4, 2018, https://news.utexas.edu/2018/05/04/aging-population-will-cause-significant-strain-for-texas/.
- “Helping Aging Texans Age Well.”