The elderly population of the United States is large and growing rapidly. In 2000, there were 35 million persons aged 65 and older, making up 12% of the total population. This population is projected to exceed 86 million by 2050, making up 21% of the total (U.S. Census Bureau, 2004). The oldest segment of the elderly population is growing particularly rapidly, with the population aged 85 and over projected to grow more than five-fold between 2000 and 2050, from 4 million to 21 million.

The elderly population of the United States is large and growing rapidly. In 2000 there were 35 million persons age 65+, comprising 12% of the total population. By 2050 this population is projected to exceed 86 million, almost 21% of the total. Since disability rates increase with age, the aging of the population will bring substantial increases in the number of disabled persons and have a significant impact on the demand for housing. In this paper, we collect information on physical disabilities, particularly as they relate to mobility limitations.

USA TODAY'S Haya El Nasser reports that The Journal of the American Planning Association is warning that the nation's housing is not equipped to handle a fast-growing population of elderly.

By 2050, it says, elderly will make up 21% of the population vs. 12% in 2000. In addition, 21% of households in 2050 will have at least one disabled resident and 7% will have at least one who cannot fully take care of himself or herself.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — “Build it and they will stay” would be wise policy with today’s growing number of elderly and disabled people who want to remain in their own homes, a new University of Florida study finds.

By planning ahead, homes built now with features that meet the needs of people who have difficulty getting around will prevent more costly retrofitting in the future and perhaps avoid the trauma of moving to a retirement home, said Stan Smith, director of UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research and the study’s lead author.