“Older adults” are not a homogeneous group. It is increasingly clear that in Whatcom County, the experience of aging varies based on race, ethnicity and culture, regions of the county and neighborhoods within our cities, age, family structure, socioeconomics, health status, and lifestyle. COVID provided many examples of older adults’ differing experiences, including access to vaccination and other healthcare services, economic impacts, and perhaps most importantly, social connections
2022 Blueprint, Aging Well Whatcom
and supports.
Whatcom’s aging adults: Demographics
Household Income
Why this is important: Income strongly predicts a person’s health, including an increased risk for chronic disease and premature death. Those with stable and adequate finances can purchase healthier food and health care and live in safer housing. An adequate household income is associated with healthier lives, less anxiety, and better physical and mental health.
Definition: Income in the last 12 months (in 2021 inflation-adjusted dollars)
Geography: The household income for adults aged 65 and older in Whatcom County is about the same as household income for adults aged 65 and older in all of Washington State.
Learn more:
Median Household Income* | County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Poverty Among Older Adults
Why this is important: Poverty is a barrier to various opportunities that shape the health of individuals. An income below the poverty line increases the risk of developing chronic disease and contact with environmental exposures that harm health and decrease life expectancy. Older adults with lower incomes are more likely to have restricted access to health care, and have a harder time paying health care-related expenses, including medication costs. Their limited income can also make paying for other necessities, including food and housing, more challenging.
Definition: Percent of population living at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Line
Trend: The percent of the population of adults aged 65 and older in Whatcom County living at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Line has not changed significantly from 2015 to 2021
Geography: The percent of the population of adults aged 65 and older in Whatcom County living at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Line was not significantly different from Washington state in 2021.
Learn more:
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2009.166082
Hospitalization Rates
Why this is important: Hospitalized older patients are more likely to have chronic illnesses and complex medical needs, or functional disabilities that require more rehabilitation and follow-up support Chronic illness and functional limitations in older adults make a person less likely to age in place and live an independent life. Aging adults who age in place have more quality of life, are more satisfied, and experience higher self-esteem. Staying healthy with good mobility and free of chronic disease makes aging populations less likely to be hospitalized and more likely to remain happy and at home into a person’s later years.
Definition: number of hospitalizations (all causes) per 100,000 people age 65 and older
Trend: While there has been a significant decline in hospitalizations among adults aged 65-74 years from 2016 to 2020 in Whatcom County, the rate of change among adults 75-84 years and 85 years and older has not been statistically significant. The rate of hospitalizations among older adults is consistently higher than the average rate across all ages.
Geography: The rate of hospitalizations for Whatcom County residents aged 65-74 years, 75-84 years, and 85 years and up was significantly lower than the rate of hospitalizations for residents of Washington state in those age categories in 2020.
Disparities: The rate of hospitalization for male Whatcom County residents aged 65-74 years and 85 years and up was significantly higher than female residents in those categories for 2020. The rate of hospitalization was not significantly different between male and female residents aged 75-84 years.
Learn more:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/aging/1/overview
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hospital-management-of-older-adults
Hospitalizations for Falls
Why this is important: Falls are a preventable threat to the health of older adults that can reduce their ability to remain independent. Falls can result in bone breaks such as hip fractures, and head injuries, leaving a person with lost mobility. Staying active, improving home safety, and removing fall hazards can reduce the likelihood of falls for older adults.
Definition: number of hospitalizations for falls per 100,000 people age 65 and older
Trend: There has not been a significant change in the rate of hospitalization from falls among Whatcom County adults aged 65-74 years, 75-84 years or 85 years and older from 2016 to 2020. The rate of hospitalization from falls among older adults is significantly higher than average rate across all ages.
Geography: Whatcom County residents aged 75-84 years and 85 years and up had a significantly lower rate of hospitalizations from falls than Washington state residents in those age groups for 2016-2020. Whatcom County residents aged 65-74 years did not have a significantly different rate of hospitalizations from falls than the rate for that age group in Washington state for 2016-2020.
Disparities: Whatcom County female residents aged 75-84 years and 85 years and up had a higher rate of hospitalizations from falls than males in those age groups for 2016-2020. The difference in rates between male and female residents age 65-74 years was not significant.
Learn more:
Resources for older adults:
- Aging Well Whatcom is a community initiative that aims to make Whatcom County a place with the culture, physical infrastructure, social supports, and services for all of us to age well.
- Aging and Disability Resources helps older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers find a wide array of community programs and services to help meet their needs.
- Northwest Regional Council provides services for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Whatcom, Island, San Juan and Skagit Counties.
- Senior Resources Guide 2023
- Whatcom Council on Aging is an independent non-profit organization that has been serving older adults since 1964. WCOA operates Meals on Wheels and More, Bellingham at Home, the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, and other programs.