We're older than we used to be, especially in these states - Virginia Mercury

[mahatmakanejeeves]

The median age rose in almost every state last year, continuing a long-term trend that is pushing states to prepare for aging populations.

Virginia's median age was 39, up 1.5 years from 2020.

virginiamercury.com
We’re older than we used to be, especially in these states - Virginia Mercury
The median age rose in almost every state last year, continuing a long-term trend that is pushing states to prepare for aging populations.

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CHILDREN + FAMILIES HEALTH

We’re older than we used to be, especially in these states

BY: TIM HENDERSON - JUNE 27, 2023 12:01 AM

The median age rose in almost every state last year, census estimates show, continuing a long-term trend that is pushing states to prepare for aging populations.

Seventeen states had median ages over 40 in 2022, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates of the age at which half of residents are older and half are younger. That’s up from 12 states in 2020 and just seven in 2010.

Nationwide, the median age was below 30 until 1980, but it rose to 38.9 as of 2022, according to the bureau estimates.

That leaves more states planning for future health and housing challenges for older residents. Some states have issued or are considering executive orders, agency plans and legislation to assist state residents who need more help with health crises, housing and long-term care as they live longer.

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This story first appeared in Stateline, a sister publication of the Virginia Mercury within the States Newsroom network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott Greenberger for questions: [e-mail]. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter.

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TIM HENDERSON
Tim Henderson covers demographics for Stateline. He has been a reporter at the Miami Herald, the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Journal News.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. And some 61 other countries are older.

Check this out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_median_age

It's especially enlightening to look at it from youngest to oldest, rather than by alphabetical.

[slightlv]

2. When it was clear

my Mom had dementia and couldn't stay alone any longer (even with my Sis and I changing out staying with her), I discovered just how bad Brownback had wrecked the benefits, entitlements, and state assistance to the elderly. My sis kept coming up with programs that had been available and helped my grandmother when cancer left her needing help. Each one she mentioned, I'd get online to check it out, only to find out it had been stripped, disabled, or completely eliminated by Brownback, Moran, and the rest of Brownback's legislative regiment. Or should I call it the Koch Family's regiment? That's who they were in bed with, most of the time.

Now hubby and I are at the age and physical problem level where we could use some help. Even with a Democratic governor, we still have Brownback's legislative and judicial regime. And any help hubby and I get will be via friends, grandkids, or just forget about it. So far, we've chosen the last. A lot of the "forget about it" as far as house improvements, cleaning, yardwork, etc., are concerned. No money to hire out for help, and nothing available like it was to my grandma and grandpa.

My daughter, I figure, is going to have far less than we even have now. She has 20 years to try to make it better. My sis is less than a decade away from retiring, and needing to badly because of health reasons. So far, she's just plain stuck, and figuring the R's will have destroyed Social Security before she can ever retire.

[marble falls]

3. So where can I go to be younger than I am?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. NICU? NT

[marble falls]

5. But I'd have to already be younger than I am.