The Age 65 and Over with a Disability measure from the American Community Survey (ACS) captures the percentage of adults aged 65 and older who report at least one disability in six domains: hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, or independent living. This indicator reflects functional limitations that affect daily living, healthcare needs, and economic independence, making it a key metric for assessing aging-related vulnerabilities in a community.
Older adults with disabilities often face greater healthcare costs, limited mobility, and reduced access to social and economic opportunities, which can exacerbate isolation and financial insecurity. Cities with higher proportions of seniors with disabilities require more robust accessible infrastructure, home care services, and community-based supports. Understanding this metric enables policymakers to plan for inclusive transportation, housing adaptations, and health interventions that promote healthy aging and independence.
Why does this matter?
- Impacts Cost of Healthcare
- Disability prevalence strongly predicts long-term care demand, healthcare costs, and family caregiving burdens.1
- Influences Cost of Housing
- Disability among aging populations underscores the need for integrated healthcare and supportive housing solutions.2
- Rising Disability Rates Amplify Demand for Caregiving
- Rising disability rates among older adults amplify the demand for family caregiving and formal care systems, impacting economic security and caregiver well-being.3
1 Freedman, V. A., & Spillman, B. C. (2014). Disability and Care Needs of Older Americans. The Milbank Quarterly, 92(3), 509–541. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.12076
2 Institute of Medicine. (2007). The Future of Disability in America. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
https://doi.org/10.17226/11898
3 Wolff, J. L., & Spillman, B. C. (2014). Disability, Care Needs, and the Future of Caregiving. The Milbank Quarterly, 92(3), 509–541. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.12076