October 4, 2001

Most N.D. Elderly Live in Family Households

There were 94,478 persons 65 and older in North Dakota in 2000. According to the latest Population Bulletin from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, 91.7 percent of these elderly live in households. The remaining 8.3 percent (7,832 persons) reside in group quarter facilities such as nursing homes.

The majority of North Dakota elderly living in households were in family households in 2000 (55,836). "This is very good news because it means there is a support system for the majority of our seniors in the state. Unfortunately, with age, many of these seniors lose their support system with the death of their spouse or significant other," said Richard Rathge, director of the North Dakota State Data Center.

Nearly 31,000 elderly live in non-family households, almost all of whom live by themselves (29,487). "These are the individuals we need to focus on because they lack an immediate support system. This support system is critical, especially when you recognize that the majority of the seniors living alone are older seniors, those 76 years and older, according to Census data," said Rathge.

The North Dakota Legislature has recognized the importance of more fully understanding the needs of the elderly in North Dakota and those who provide informal care to seniors. It commissioned two studies; one to investigate long-term care needs of seniors and one to assess who is providing informal care to seniors and what are their needs. Approximately 6,500 elderly live in nursing homes.

The number of elderly living alone in North Dakota increased 5.2 percent between 1990 and 2000. Nationally, North Dakota had the third highest proportion of elderly living alone.

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Source: Richard Rathge, (701) 231-8621, richard_rathge@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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