Kentucky’s population is over 4.5 million, with the 2020 Census reporting a population of 4,510,331. According to 2023 data, about 97.4% of residents are U.S. citizens, totaling approximately 4.39 million people. (Census). There are approximately 806,757 people aged 65 and over as of 2023, which represented 17.0% of the state’s population in 2020 and has continued to grow.
According to the latest census data, Indiana’s population is approximately 6.8 million. Of this population, age 65 and over is 16.4% of the population, or 1,116,303 people.
So, about 27% of Americans aged 65 and older live by themselves. (Pew Research Center) If we take that average and apply it to the areas we serve, that translates to approximately 1,923,060
- About 24% of community-dwelling Americans aged 65+ are considered socially isolated. NCBI
- · Around 43% of adults aged 60 and older report feeling lonely. NCBI
- · According to UW Medicine, nearly 3 in 10 U.S. adults over age 60 live alone. UW Medicine | Newsroom+1
- · A national poll (2024) found that 33% of older adults felt lonely “some of the time or often” in the past year. MedResearch
- · In a survey of older adults (60+), 17% said they “often feel lonely.” nci-ad.org
Among adults 55 and older in the U.S., about 16.5% have no biological children. Census.gov - Among those 80+, the proportion living alone is higher: about 41% of people age 80+ live alone. Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
- Socioeconomic risk is significant: Many of those who live alone have limited incomes. For example, more than 20% have incomes below the federal poverty line; others are just above it. KFF Health News+1
The data above shows people who live by themselves, but that doesn’t directly tell us who has no caregiver. However, living alone increases the likelihood that a senior might not have regular caregiver support.
Some relevant implications & considerations:
- Health & daily living risk tends to increase with age. As seniors age (especially past 75 or 80), the chance they’ll need assistance (for things like bathing, meals, mobility) tends to rise. If there is no caregiver, those needs may go unmet.
- Isolation & mental health: Living alone often correlates with greater risk of loneliness, depression, and reduced social support. This can exacerbate health issues.
- Financial constraints: Seniors living alone with low income may find it harder to afford paid help (home health aides, housekeeping), assistive devices, or modifications to the home.
- Emergency readiness: Without someone regularly checking in or present, emergencies (falls, sudden illnesses) can pose larger risks.
Adults 65 and older make up 12% of the population, they account for 18% of suicides. Some of the risk factors include loneliness, which is often attributed to loss of a spouse or partner and living far from family and friends. (Link)
How can YOU give Hope for an Isolated senior? Here’s how:
