Fast Facts

Frail older adults often experience difficulty understanding and accessing services and resources to help them maximize their independence. Through CARIE’s intervention, the quality of life for clients is enhanced by accessing needed services and benefits, resolving complaints related to care, and receiving assistance to prevent abuse and exploitation.  Research suggests that demographic, service delivery, and other trends are converging to increase the number of older adults who are at risk of losing their independence.

According to Older Americans 2000: Key Indicators of Well-Being, “Aging in the 21st century will be characterized by a steep rise in the population age 85 and older and increased racial and ethnic diversity.  Large numbers of older people find their health threatened by memory impairments, depression, chronic conditions, and disability, especially at very advanced ages, which can substantially diminish the quality of life.” 

In Philadelphia, data from the 2000 U.S. Census data show that population of those who are age 85 and older represents 10.1% of the 60 and older population, up from 7.9% in 1990. This “old-old” segment – projected to number 28,750 by 2005 is characterized by a high rate of frailty and poverty, frequently compounded by a loss of informal supports as the younger generation moves away from old neighborhoods.

According to the 2002 Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey conducted by Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, among those who are age 85 and older in the five southeastern counties, 45.1% were in fair or poor health, 41% of females and 29.47% of males lived alone, and 30% were limited in their ability to walk, bathe, dress, or eat without assistance.  In Philadelphia, more than 14,000 older persons were victims of crime during 2003 (Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System), and there were 2,226 reports of suspected elder abuse to the local provider of protective services (Philadelphia Corporation for Aging).    

CARIE’s ability to intervene on behalf of older adults and their caregivers and identify creative ways to meet their needs, coupled with intensive systemic advocacy to improve the availability of affordable quality care, offer a safety net to help those who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the service system.