December 19, 2022
Increased numbers of older people living alone bring issues of housing and care for the elderly to the fore
More older Americans are living alone than ever before. Despite this, researchers and advocates say too little attention is being paid to keeping them healthy as they age and ensuring the nation can keep up with the growing demand for affordable and accessible housing.
People 50+ who live alone are one of the fastest growing demographic groups in the country, largely because today’s 50+ population is more likely than previous generations to be divorced, separated, or never. get marry. Today, nearly 30 percent of American homes have only one occupant, up from 13 percent in 1970. For households headed by someone age 50 and older, that number is 36 percent.
National Institute of Health studies show that many people who age alone may experience worse physical and mental health outcomes and shorter life spans. Compounding the challenge, a growing proportion of older adults: about 1 in 6 Americans age 55 and older — not having children, raising questions about how care for the elderly will be managed in the coming decades.
The nation’s housing supply has also not kept pace with the changes. Forty years ago, units smaller than 1,400 square feet made up about 40 percent of all new home construction; today, only 7 percent of new housing units are smaller houses, even though the number of single-person households is increasing.
This has made downsizing more difficult, as large, older homes sell for less than what a single adult needs to set up a new, smaller home and continue to pay living and health care expenses in retirement.
“It’s no secret that 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance. “Our country needs to do more to support family and paid caregivers and invest in affordable and accessible housing.”
