1950s) begins to reach age 65 from about 2011 through 2021.
In the near term, however, the number of American households headed by individuals aged 65 to 74 is expected to stabilize a 12.5 million in 1995 (Housing for the elderly, 1987, p. 62). Most of these householders are expected to live in single family dwellings. In the early 1990s, 69 percent of this age group live in single family homes; by 2000, the proportion is expected to rise to 73 percent.
In the contemporary period, 38 percent of householders in the 65 74 age group live alone (Housing for the elderly, 1987, p. 62). By 2000, this proportion is expected to increase to 42 percent. At present also, more than half of the single householders live in single family homes, and, by 2000, this proportion is expected to be 58 percent. Where the majority of persons in the 65 74 age group live with another person, over half of those aged 75 years old and older live alone, and the proportion is expected to rise to 58 percent by the mid to late 1990s (Housing for the elderly, 1987, p. 62). When they are not in nursing homes, the majority of persons aged 75 years old and older live in single family dwellings.
A majority of persons aged 75 years and older are already isolated as a consequence of their living patterns (Housing for the elderly, 1987, p. 62). Early in the next century, the living patterns of persons in the 65 74 year old age group are expected to cause a majority of these persons to become similarly socially isolated.
Individuals afflicted with chronic ailments account for approximately 10 percent of the American population (Rosen, Fanshel, and Lutz, 1993, p. 111). This 10 percent of the population, however, accounts for approximately 30 percent of the total health care expenditures in the United States (Rosen, Fanshel, and Lutz, 1993, p. 112). Total health care expenditures in the United States in 1992 approximated $750 billion (Rosen, Fanshel, an...