Families
Older Adults
Arizona’s population of older adults is large and it is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the U.S. Census, Arizona’s 65+ population is ranked third nationally for the largest projected growth rate (255%) from 2000 to 2030. To best prepare Arizona for this demographic shift and to meet the diverse needs of this growing population, it is critical to understand the characteristics of Arizona’s older adults.
The Demographics section includes information on population size, race and ethnicity, labor force participation, educational attainment, and grandparents raising grandchildren. There is also a Health section, which covers Diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, falls, and the number of assisting living facilities and nursing homes. The last section discusses the physical safety and financial security of older adults by analyzing adult protective services cases and poverty rates.
These data indicate that although Arizona’s older adults face some challenges, they are a very resilient population with lots of noteworthy strengths. They are healthier and more affluent than the national average, they are active, and they contribute a diverse set of skills to Arizona’s social capital.
