10-11-1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• I I Income and poverty Wilder Research Center estimates that the median income for Twin Cities senior households is about $24,860. However, income varies widely by household size. Here is a rough approximation: $39,640 for married senior couples $19,790 for single senior men $15,540 for single senior women substantially. Poverty would persist among the disadvantaged groups of seniors — minorities, singles, those over age 85. Poverty among Twin Cities seniors is about 8 percent. It is lower for married seniors and much higher for women, minorities, and the very old. For instance, poverty is 23 percent among U.S. senior women. Near-poverty is also an important senior issue; many senior incomes are clustered just slightly above the poverty line. The positive income trend is due partly to the increase of women in the work force. Retirement benefits will boost the incomes of single and married senior women, assuming no major changes in Social Security or other retirement plans. Anotht. -eason to expect higher senior incomes is t le growing life expectancy for men, which would leavp fewer widows. The future outlook is better, if recent U.S. trei.xis coulinue and if they apply to the Twin Cities aiea. Senicis’ median income may rise by as much as 80 percent over the next 30 years (adjusted for inflation). At the same time, the senior poverty rate would decrease Disability Experts often look at two types of senior disabilities. ■ Activities of daily living: Basic self-care such as bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, using the toilet, and getting in and out of bed. ■ Instrumental activities of daily living: Cooking, housework, shopping, using the telephone, managing money. DISABIUn PROJECTIONS lAOL impaired (housework, shopping, etc.) ADL impaired (eating, bathing, etc.) Source: Wilder Resesrch Center, using national disability rates and local population projections. BuUding toward the senior boom Wilder Research Center for East Metro SAIL I