By the Numbers: America’s Aging Population Fact Sheet

The number of older Americans continues to rise. This demographic change comes with higher rates of food insecurity, as many seniors struggle to access or afford nutritious meals. Social isolation is also a growing concern, with many older adults facing loneliness and a lack of social support.

To better understand the needs and obstacles facing seniors across the country, Meals on Wheels America has analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau alongside information on senior nutrition providers funded through the Older Americans Act (OAA) and other data sources. Note: Unless otherwise specified, “seniors” and “older adults” refer to adults age 60 and older, the primary age group served by the OAA.

Get the Facts

America’s population is aging.

• Seniors account for almost one-fourth of the country’s population.¹
• 10% of older adults are Hispanic,² 11% are Black/African American,³ 73% are non-Hispanic White⁴ and 54% are women.⁵
• 12% of seniors are veterans.⁶ 

Our country’s seniors aren’t getting enough to eat. 

• Nearly 13 million seniors face food insecurity.⁷

Income limitations are a major barrier for older adults.

• 14% of seniors live below the poverty line, according to the supplemental poverty measure.⁸ 
• Almost half of all single seniors age 65+ lack income to pay for basic living needs, such as housing, groceries and utilities.⁹ 

Most seniors face significant health challenges.

• 63% of Medicare participants age 65+ have three or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.¹⁰
• Total Medicare spending exceeds $395 billion per year.¹¹ 

Federally funded nutrition services support vulnerable populations. 

• One-third of clients served by OAA-funded providers live below the poverty line.¹² 
• 35.6% of clients are people of color.¹³ 

Demand for nutritious meals is outpacing funding. 

• Though OAA-funded providers serve millions of seniors¹⁴ each year, there are still hungry seniors¹⁵ in need of support.

Looking Ahead

Meals on Wheels America is committed to ensuring all older adults have the support they need to live happy, healthy lives. As part of this mission, we are ramping up federal advocacy to secure sustainable funding for critical programs.

Our three federal advocacy priorities include:

• Increasing funding and support for senior nutrition providers
• Strengthening and securing nutrition access for older adults
• Advancing Food as Medicine interventions

Looking ahead, Meals on Wheels America will continue to work closely with lawmakers and stakeholders to promote policies that prioritize the well-being of older adults.