NUMBERS
In the United States, the life expectancy of women is…
a)75.5 years old
b)80 years old
c)85.6 years old
d)90 years old
c)85.6 years old
*Life expectancy for women declined almost 1 full year from 2019 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
True or False
Older adults can’t learn new things.
False!
Older adults still have the ability to learn new things, create new memories, and improve their performance in a variety of skills.
•Pick the true statement: Between 1990 and 2030 this population sector of persons over 65 in the United States is expected to increase by this percentage:
a)Latinos (340%)
b)Native Americans (260%)
c)African Americans (110%)
d)Caucasians (50%)
a)Latinos (340%)
Native Americans are expected to increase (150%), African Americans (130%) and Caucasians (80%). Altogether, minorities are expected to increase about 225% in this 40 year period.
True or False. The majority of older adults, ages 65 and older, have cognitive impairment.
FALSE
Contrary to popular stereotype, dementia is not a normal part of aging or inevitable. Statistics will vary depending on the study, but most estimate that approximately 2-3 percent of older adults in their seventies experience some form of dementia, 5-10 percent of older adults in their eighties, and may jump to between 20-30 percent of older adults in the nineties. These statistics include mild as well as severe forms of dementia.
•Men who are 65 live an average of how many more years?
•
a)10
b)15
c)18
d)25
c)18
Men will live on average 18 more years, or until the age of 83.
Gerontologists (people who study older adult populations) subdivide older adults into categories. Select the correct title and age range.
a)young old (65 – 74)
b)middle-aged old (75-84)
c)old-old (85+)
d)all of these are correct
d)all of these are correct
The fastest growing group is the old-old at 85 and above. They are also called the “frail elderly.”
•Someone turning age 65 today has almost a ______ chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years.
a)70
b)15
c)90
d)45
a)70
True or False
It is inevitable that older people will get dementia.
False
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Although the risk of dementia grows as people get older, it is not inevitable, and many people live into their 90s and beyond without the significant declines in thinking and behavior that characterize dementia
DAILY DOUBLE!
When COAPS began in 2008, the number of older adults receiving social security benefits was 41,624,557. How has this number changed from 2008 to 2017?
a)decreased more than 3 million
b)increased more than 9 million
c)increased more than 2 million
d)stayed about the same
b) increased more than 9 million
This number increased by 9,808,443 – the number of older adults receiving social security benefits was about 51,433,000 in 2017. This number includes old-age beneficiaries and survivors insurance beneficiaries.
What do you call people who are 100 years old?
a)recipients of birthday cards from the U.S. President
b)Antiques
c)Centenarians
d)both a. and c.
d)both a. and c.
Of the old-old group, Centenarians are the fastest growing group. By 2030, there will be about 324,000 people 100 or more years old, thanks primarily to their inherited resistance to cancer and other diseases.
Among people who are employed outside of the home, this age group has the greatest rate of absenteeism from the job:
a. 21-35
b. 36-50
c. 51-65
d. 66 and above
a. 21-35
From middle age on, there is a decrease in absenteeism. This is largely because of childcare issues and illnesses caused by infectious diseases. It is also hypothesized that there is greater loyalty to employers as a social expectation of older adults.
True or False. Participation in voluntary organizations such as clubs and churches declines among healthy seniors.
True False
FALSE.
As long as health permits, participation holds steady or increases with age. Over 50% of older adults work as volunteers or for pay. Also, older people, especially women, may appear to be more religious. When they were younger, church activities were a bigger part of the social fabric.
Among persons 65 and older who have lost a spouse, there are approximately this many widows for each widower:
a)One
b)Three
c)Five
d)Seven
c)Five
Medicare Part A covers the following services…
a)inpatient care at a hospital
b)outpatient care
c)hospice
d)a + c are correct
d)a + c are correct
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) covers, including inpatient care at a hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF), and hospice
Daily Double!
True or False. Seniors are the most law-abiding of all adult groups according to official statistics.
True False
TRUE. Only about 2% of all prisoners are over sixty-five.
•“Myths of aging” are commonly held beliefs that researchers have found to be untrue. Pick the untrue statement:
•
a)Older people are more satisfied if they disengage from society in preparation to die.
b)Elderly people are more fearful of crime than younger people.
c)People up in age are interested in having or maintaining sexual relationships.
d)People over age 65 average between three and five chronic illnesses.
a)Older people are more satisfied if they disengage from society in preparation to die.
•In 2017, _____% of the 65+ population were reported to be living below the federal poverty level ($11,756).
•
a)35%
b)5%
c)2%
d)14%
d)14%
•In January, 2016, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit was
a)$850 per month, or about $10,200 per year.
b)$955 per month, or about $11,500 per year.
c)$1,461 per month, or about $17,532 per year
d)$1,950 per month, or about $23,400 per year
c)$1,461 per month, or about $17,532 per year
Retired women tend to draw somewhat less in Social Security than men. For most Americans, retirement income is from several sources: of persons over 65, 90% draw Social Security, 29% have private pensions, 14% government pensions, 22% from employment and 59% from their assets (savings and investments, etc.).
From the following alphabetized list, pick the top country in terms of % of total population that was over age 65 in 2019:
a)China
b)France
c)Japan
d)United States
c)Japan
Japan is the country with the oldest population, 27% of its population is age 65 or older. France is 20%, United States is 15% and China is 11%.
With regard to the living conditions of older adults, select the most correct statement: Nearly half of all older adults live…
a)alone
b)with a spouse or partner
c)with children
d)in a long-term care facility
b)with a spouse or partner
Nearly half of older adults live with a spouse or partner (48.7%). 27.5% of older adults live alone, 10.1% of older adults live with children and 4.1% of older adults live in a long-term care facility.