February is Senior Support Month

“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors”

February is the month the Foundation concentrates on organizations that support our senior citizens.

A few facts:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 50 million senior citizens live in the United States, making up 16.5% of the population.
The 65+ age group was the fastest growing between 2010 and 2022, with its population increasing 42.8%, according to USA FACTS/Census Bureau.
A little over 25% of U.S. seniors live in California, Florida or New York:
- In Illinois, 1,942,534 are senior citizens, making up 3.8% of the population over 65
- In Texas, 3,462,527 are senior citizens, making up 6.8% of the population over 65
According to the National Council on Aging, over 17 million adults 65+ are economically insecure, with income below 200% of the federal poverty level ($25,760 per year for a single person in 2021):
- These older adults struggle with rising housing and health care bills, inadequate nutrition, lack of access to transportation, diminished savings and job loss (National Council on Aging)
- Older women are more likely to live in poverty than men as a result of wage discrimination and having to take time out of the workforce for caregiving
- Over half of Black and Hispanic adults age 65+ have incomes below 200% of the Federal poverty line
- Older workers of color are most at risk for unemployment
- About 1 in 4 adults 65+ skimp on food, utilities, clothing or medication due to healthcare costs. In 2022, 37% of older adults were worried about affording healthcare in the coming year
- Nearly half (46%) 65+ homeowners had mortgage debt in 2016. The same percentage of 80+ homeowners also had mortgage debt