In the world of research and statistics, the results sometimes lag behind by a year or more. That means much of the data on nursing homes, senior citizens, independent living, and elder abuse released in 2015 actually reflect information from 2014 and earlier. However, there have been some new studies released about more recent affairs this year.
Whether you’re a senior researching independent living homes, an adult child acting as caregiver, or a student, we’ve put together a brief summary of the latest 2015 nursing homes statistics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nursing Homes Statistics 2015
The CDC tracks a broad range of public health issues, including the growing senior population, data on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and the nursing home industry. According to the latest CDC data:
- There are 15,700 nursing homes in the U.S. with 1.7 million licensed beds
- About 68.2% of nursing homes and independent living communities are run by for-profit companies
- At least 1.4 million residents live in these communities full time
- As of 2012, 48.5% of nursing home residents were suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia
U.S. Census, National Center on Elder Abuse, and More 2015 Nursing Home Research
In 2015, Millennials officially became the largest demographic in the country. That being said, the senior population is still growing at an incredible rate. The 2010 census found that there were 40.3 million people ages 65 and above and 5.8 million people older than 85. Plus, the “Boomer Generation” effect is projected to continue intensifying. By the year 2050, seniors will make up 20% of the total population.
While the vast majority of older Americans would prefer to age in place in their own home, experts believe seven out of 10 seniors will eventually require long-term care and assisted living of some kind.
Elder abuse is a growing problem, particularly among seniors with dementia. Studies and nursing homes statistics have found that fully 84.5% of independent living residents would positively recommend their community to a friend. That tracks well with research from the NCEA, which found that 7.6-10% of seniors had fallen victim to elder or financial abuse.
That means it’s crucial that family members research any assisted living homes or adult day care services before they find senior housing. Most eldercare services are run by compassionate professionals, with 24/7 nurses or doctors on staff.
