The current growth of the population ages 65 and older is one of the most significant demographic trends in the history of the United States.

Although U.S. policymakers and others have had many decades to plan for the inevitable aging of the baby boom cohort, it is not clear that sufficient preparations have been made to meet baby boomers’ anticipated needs in old age.

It is estimated...

...that one out of every 10 people age 60 and older who live at home suffers abuse, neglect or exploitation.  In several small studies, about half of people with dementia suffered from abuse or neglect by their caregivers.

Cognitive impairment can reduce financial capacity, increasing risk of financial exploitation.  High rates of neglect, poor care or preventable adverse events persist in nursing homes and other long-term care settings where more than two million people (most of them elderly) live. 

About two-thirds of elder abuse victims are women.  African American, Latino, poor, and isolated older adults are disproportionately victimized. Even more alarming is the estimate that for every one case of elder abuse that comes to light, another 23 remain hidden.

The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to more than double from 46 million today to over 98 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise from 15 percent to nearly 24 percent.

The Number of Americans 65+ Will More Than Double by 2060