The issue of aging in place turns on the kind of home a person lives in and some characteristics of their neighborhood. The American Housing Survey provides some information to help assess how and where older Americans live.
The issue of aging in place turns on the kind of home a person lives in and some characteristics of their neighborhood. The 2001 American Housing Survey provides statistics about "households", including households that include anyone age 65 or older. Related to those "Elderly Households", the survey reports:
- 21.8 million households contain someone age 65 or older.
- 9.9 million (46%) of those households are comprised of someone living alone.
- The home or apartment they live in was built in the year 1963, so it is about 40 years old.
- 13.4 million of these households (61%) live in a multi-story building.
- About 1 million of these homes have moderate or severe physical problems.
The many multi-story buildings will likely need modifications to make them accessible, and some need improvements just to make them livable.
- 12.8 million of these households (73%) live in a home they own free and clear.
- The median value of the home, for those who own their own home, is $107,400.
There is significant equity available which could be used to make improvements or repair the homes.
- Only 11.4 million (about half) of these homes have access to public transportation.
- Only 13 million (60%) report there are grocery and drug stores less than a mile away from the home.
Even where public transportation is available, there is no indication of how accessible it is. These statistics point to the need to provide better transportation for those who cannot drive.