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About Women
In
the United States there are more older women than there are older men,
and the proportion of the female population keeps increasing with age.
Today, almost 35 million Americans, or one in eight, are age 65 or older,
and three out of five are women. Women live an average six years longer
than men.
"Not only do women have a longer average life expectancy than men,
they tend to marry men older than themselves. Seven out of 10 "baby
boom" women - those born between 1946 and 1964 - are expected to
outlive their husbands. Thus, many can expect to be widows for 15 to
20 years."
"America is growing older, and most older Americans are women.
Because women are living longer than men, the health, economic, and
social challenges which face older Americans are most often the challenges
faced by women. The following facts about older women require attention
as we prepare to comprehensively address the diverse needs of an aging
society." (1).
Some
Facts:
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Women
make up about 70 percent of all elderly persons with incomes below
poverty level, what is even more significant is that more than half
widows that are now living poverty were not even poor before the deaths
of their husbands.
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The chance that women will live at or below poverty line increases
with their age.
-
Older women spend more years and a larger percentage of their lifetimes
disabled, they are at a much higher risk of chronic illness and disabling
conditions as they age, which will require them to need costly long-term
care.
- Women
represent 7 out of 10 unpaid caregivers.
- Women's
average income is $13,000 per year.
- 80
percent of older women live alone.
- Women
are twice as likely to reside in a nursing home.
- Older women
are more likely to be unemployed, or to work part time in industries
that do not offer health insurance benefits.
As you can see that these are frightening facts concerning women. These
and many others are why it is important women plan ahead for future
long-term care needs. (1.)
Sources:
1. http://www.aoa.gov/naic/may2000/factsheets/olderwomen.html
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