Major changes in the demographic profile of the United States are underway, and these changes are expected to accelerate in the next several decades. The number of households aged 65 and older increased by 38% between 2010 and 2020. In contrast, households aged below 65 rose by just 1%. Meanwhile, in less than a decade, the year 2030 will mark a demographic turning point for the U.S. By then, all baby boomers will be older than 65, boosting the number of older adults.
However, demographics vary considerably by area. Thus, some areas are expected to experience aging at a faster pace than other areas. Using U.S. Census data, it’s interesting to see that the older adult population is surging in one of the youngest states. In Alaska, the number of households aged 65 and over rose more than 80% in the last decade. Delaware, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho followed, with senior households increasing by 60% on average. Thus, the population will age faster in these areas as the rate of increase is much stronger and much higher in comparison to the rest of the United States. In addition, Florida, Hawaii, and West Virginia are some of the states with the highest concentration of senior households. In these states, more than 33% of the households are 65 years old and older.
With an aging population comes an increasing need for homes with aging-accessible features. When people grow older, their physical, cognitive, and sensory capabilities significantly decrease. After taking a look at the related literature, research has shown that smart-home technologies and related services can help older adults make their daily tasks easier and improve their overall quality of life. While smart-home technology was initially focused on increasing security and energy savings, its scope has been gradually shifted to improve the overall quality of life. Specifically, smart homes are often employed to assist elderly and disabled people.
