Special Populations

Income and Poverty Rates

The 1990s saw a slight increase in the poverty rate among King County residents age 65 and older, from 6.9% in 1990 to 7.1% in 2000.^[1] However, that number seems to be growing locally and nationally. A recent report by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development found that 22% of elderly households, or 1.29 million, represent “worst case needs.”^[2]
In King County, pockets of higher-than-average poverty rates exist for certain groups:

• 8.3% of older women,
• 16% of elders of color
• 7.3% of those ages 85 and older^[3]

It is especially difficult for older adults to protect themselves from the effects of poverty due to functional limitations, or health problems. The result is diminished access to basics like housing or food.
In a nation-wide survey on Hunger in America, 28.7% of client households with seniors indicated that they have had to choose between food and medical care and 31% had to choose between food and paying for heat/utilities.^[4]

All of these facts impress upon the need for increased access to basic needs including more affordable housing, access to healthy foods, access to healthcare, and opportunities for the older adults to be a part of the change process.

Racial Equity & Older Adults

Disparities related to access to services, and the quality of services received, continue to be a pervasive community issue. According to the 2005 National Healthcare Disparities Report, it was found that disparities related to race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status persist across the American health care system.^[5] Locally, for example, African Americans and Native Americans have much higher death rates in heart disease, cancer, stroke, and accidents.^[6]

There are also considerable difference between life expectancies for older adults, from age 65 on, based on race and ethnicity. For example, Asian/PI women and Hispanic women can expect to live an average of 3 years longer than white women and African American and Native American women can expect to live about 5 and 8 years less, respectively. Intentional efforts to close this disparity must be made, which will require institutional changes towards racial equity.

• The most rapid growth of older adults will occur among elders of color.
• In 1990, persons of color represented less than 10% of the county’s age 60 and older population, but this increased to 15% in 2000.^[7]
• by 2030 people of color will form over 33% of the older population nationally, with the greatest increase of elders among Asian/Pacific Islanders and Latinos both nationally and locally.

Planning and support for organizations that practice culturally competent, culturally appropriate services, as well as local communities that create and implement programs and supports that are managed by people of color, are practical approaches towards the goal of reducing disparities based on race.
 

Immigrants & Refugees

The population of older adults in King County is increasingly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity and immigration status, with a significant number of individuals who have limited or no English skills.

• In 1990, persons of color represented less than 10% of the county’s age 60 and older population, but this increased to 15% in 2000.
• During the past year, Washington has ranked 5th highest, among all of the states, for resettlement.
  An estimated 275,000 refugees have established residency in the state during the past 30 years.
• Immigrants and refugees live throughout the county, but demographic data show East and South King County, as well as South Seattle, include a higher concentration of this population.
• While the total population of elderly immigrant and refugees is growing, there is also a high estimate of foreign-born community members—48,000 living below the federal poverty line.

Given the changing population in King County, particularly for adults who may already be isolated due to transportation constraints or physical ability, it is imperative that community programs plan accordingly. Access to information, and culturally and linguistically appropriate-services are essential for supporting these community members who may otherwise be disenfranchised.

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