key findings

As they are the fastest growing segment of the population, the health and social needs of older adults in San Mateo County will demand greater attention. Compared to younger counterparts, seniors much more often suffer from many chronic and disabling conditions, and half suffer an impairment that limits their activities. As this population continues to age, there will be greater needs for in-home supportive services, long-term care arrangements, and respite services for informal caregivers.

Qualitative research (focus group) findings corresponding to this section can be found beginning on the Appendix A: Senior Health page.

demographic overview

The "aging of San Mateo County" makes planning for serving the next generation of seniors essential. There will be greater needs for in-home supportive services, long-term care arrangements, and respite care services. Note the following findings based on 1990 census data:

• Between 1990 and 2010, the San Mateo County population of adults aged 55 and older is projected to increase 58.2%. The population of those aged 85 and older is projected to increase 129.5%. ⁵¹⁰

• A total of 30.4% of San Mateo County adults aged 55 and older are persons of color. A total of 7.2% of county seniors aged 65 and older did not speak English in 1990. ⁵¹¹

• A total of 37.5% of San Mateo County residents aged 55 and older had (1989) annual incomes less than $25,000. This percentage increases to 55.5% among those aged 75 and older. ⁵¹²

• A total of 26.7% San Mateo County seniors aged 65 and older lived alone in 1990.⁵¹³

senior health issues

The 1998 San Mateo County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey addressed a number of health-related items which one can segment to reveal much information relative to the senior (65 and older) population of San Mateo County:

preventive health services

• 71.6% of seniors in San Mateo County have received a flu shot in the past year (compared to 65.5% statewide and 62.8% nationwide; the Year 2000 objective is 80% or more) ⁵¹⁴

• 53.8% of seniors have ever had a pneumonia vaccination (compared to 49.8% statewide; the Year 2000 objective is 80% or more). ⁵¹⁵

• 53.6% of seniors have full or partial coverage for dental care. ⁵¹⁶

• 48.9% of seniors currently take calcium supplements. ⁵¹⁷

• 8.4% of senior women have had a mother or sister diagnosed with breast cancer (compared to 17.5% nationwide). ⁵¹⁸

*  86.2% of senior women have had both a clinical breast exam and a mammogram in the past two years (U.S.=79.9%). ⁵¹⁹

• 15.3% of senior men have had a father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer (U.S.=3.4%). ⁵²⁰

*  72.4% of senior men have had a prostate-specific antigen test in the past year (U.S.=63.4%). ⁵²¹

 

chronic illness

• 45.3% of seniors currently suffer from arthritis or rheumatism (compared to 48.5% of seniors nationwide). ⁵²²

• 39.5% of seniors have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (compared to 40.5% nationwide). ⁵²³

• 33.9% of seniors have high blood cholesterol levels (compared to 31.5% nationwide). ⁵²⁴

• 24.3% of seniors have heart disease (compared to 21.4% nationwide). ⁵²⁵

• 23.9% of seniors suffer from sciatica or chronic back pain (compared to 28.6% nationwide). ⁵²⁶

• 20.3% of seniors are deaf or have difficulty hearing (compared to 22.7% nationwide). ⁵²⁷

• 16.2% of seniors have been diagnosed with cancer (compared to 10.7% nationwide). ⁵²⁸

• 12.8% of seniors are blind or have difficulty seeing, even with glasses (compared to 16.5% nationwide). ⁵²⁹

• 11.3% of seniors have ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding (compared to 12.6% nationwide). ⁵³⁰

• 7.3% of seniors have diabetes (compared to 14.2% nationwide).⁵³¹

mental health

• 3.1% of seniors report that they have a history of mental illness (compared to 1.9% nationwide). ⁵³²

• 19.2% of seniors have experienced periods of depression lasting two or more years (compared to 21.3% nationwide). ⁵³³

• 14.5% of seniors have sought help for a mental or emotional problem in the past (compared to 12.3% nationwide). ⁵³⁴

activity limitations

• 50.2% of seniors report some impairment that limits their activities (compared to 40.3% nationwide). ⁵³⁵

• Of those reporting an impairment, arthritis was most commonly identified (31.6%), followed by neck or back problems (10.5%) and fractures/bone/joint injuries (9.2%). ⁵³⁶

• 5.6% of seniors responding to the survey report that they need the help of others with routine needs (e.g., household chores, necessary business, shopping). ⁵³⁷

• 1.4% of seniors report that they need the help of others with personal care needs (e.g., eating, bathing, dressing, getting around the house). ⁵³⁸

• Seniors report an average of 4.2 days in the preceding month on which pain has made it difficult for them to do their usual activities, such as self care, work or recreation (75.2% reported no days). ⁵³⁹

Other senior issues are addressed in the "Caring for Seniors" section.

539  Ibid.