More Than Half U.S. Senior Citizens have a
Disability; Over 70 Percent of Those over 80
54.4 Million Americans live with a disability says
new report by Census Bureau
Dec.
18, 2008 - About one in five U.S. residents - 19 percent -
reported some level of disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census
Bureau report released today. But, more than one out of three of all the
disabled in the U.S. are senior citizens, age 65 or older.
Of the 35.03 million senior citizens living in the
U.S., 18.1 (52%) had a disability. And, of this number, 12.9 million
(37%) had a severe disability and 5.5 million (15.6%) needed assistance
with daily living.
In
2007, the family poverty rate and the number of families in poverty were
9.8 percent and 7.6 million, respectively, both statistically unchanged
from 2006
This is strong evidence that the chances of
becoming disabled increases with age. But, it continues to get worse, in
advanced years. For people 80 and older, the disability rate was 71
percent, with 56 percent having a severe disability.
Females age 65 and older were much more likely to
be disabled - 56.5% - than senior men - 45.35%. (See chart below on
disability by age group and sex.)
These 54.4 million disabled Americans of all ages
are roughly equal to the combined total populations of California and
Florida.
Both the number and percentage of people with
disabilities were higher than in 2002, the last time the Census Bureau
collected such information. At that time, 51.2 million, or 18 percent,
reported a disability.
Among those with a disability, 35 million, or 12
percent of the population, were classified as having a severe
disability, according to
Americans With Disabilities: 2005 [PDF].
Nearly half (46 percent) of people age 21 to 64
with a disability were employed, compared with 84 percent of people in
this age group without a disability. Among those with disabilities, 31
percent with severe disabilities and 75 percent with nonsevere
disabilities were employed. People with difficulty hearing were more
likely to be employed than those with difficulty seeing (59 percent
compared with 41 percent).
A portion of people with disabilities — 11 million
age 6 and older — needed personal assistance with everyday activities.
These activities include such tasks as getting around inside the home,
taking a bath or shower, preparing meals and performing light housework.
Other important findings:
● Among people 15 and older, 7.8 million (3
percent) had difficulty hearing a normal conversation, including 1
million being unable to hear at all. Although not part of the definition
of disability used in the report, 4.3 million people reported using a
hearing aid.
● Roughly 3.3 million people, or 1 percent, age
15 and older used a wheelchair or similar device, with 10.2 million, or
4 percent, using a cane, crutches or walker.
● Nearly 7.8 million people age 15 and older had
difficulty seeing words or letters in ordinary newspaper print,
including 1.8 million being completely unable to see.
● More than 16 million people had difficulty
with cognitive, mental or emotional functioning. This included 8.4
million with one or more problems that interfere with daily activities,
such as frequently being depressed or anxious, trouble getting along
with others, trouble concentrating and trouble coping with stress.
● The chances of having a disability increase
with age: 18.1 million people 65 and older, or 52 percent, had a
disability. Of this number, 12.9 million, or 37 percent, had a severe
disability. For people 80 and older, the disability rate was 71 percent,
with 56 percent having a severe disability.
● Among people 16 to 64, 13.3 million, or 7
percent, reported difficulty finding a job or remaining employed because
of a health-related condition.
● Among people 25 to 64 with a severe
disability, 27 percent were in poverty, compared with 12 percent for
people with a nonsevere disability and 9 percent for those without a
disability.
● Median monthly earnings were $1,458 for people
with a severe disability, $2,250 for people with a nonsevere disability
and $2,539 for those with no disability.
● Parents reported that 228,000 children under
age 3, or 2 percent, had a disability. Specifically, they either had a
developmental delay or difficulty moving their arms or legs. In
addition, there were 475,000 children 3 to 5 years, or 4 percent, with a
disability, which meant they had either a developmental delay or
difficulty walking, running or playing.
● There were 4.7 million children 6 to 14, or 13
percent, with a disability. The most prevalent type was difficulty doing
regular schoolwork (2.5 million, or 7 percent).
The Survey of Income and Program Participation
produces national-level estimates for the U.S. resident population and
subgroups, and allows for the observation of trends over time,
particularly of selected characteristics such as income, eligibility for
and participation in transfer programs, household and family
composition, labor force behavior and other associated events.
Prevalence of Disability by Sex and
Age - All Races (Disabled, Severely Disabled, Need
Assistance)
Dec.
18, 2008 - About one in five U.S. residents - 19 percent -
reported some level of disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census
Bureau report released today. But, more than one out of three of all the
disabled in the U.S. are senior citizens, age 65 or older.