The Growing Need for Home Health Care in New Jersey

Population of Elderly individuals in New Jersey

New Jersey’s older adult population is growing and the 2010 Census data ranked the state 11th in the nation in overall population and 10th in the number of individuals (1,666,535) of age 60 and older. From 2000 to 2010, the percentage of New Jersey residents of age 60 and older rose by 15 percent. The largest population growth was seen among the youngest cohort, age 60- 64 years, at 45.3 percent, and the oldest, age 85 and above, at 32.1 percent. This change reflects the aging of the baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) and their parents.

By 2030, the population in this age group in New Jersey is projected to reach 2.5 million. People aged 60 and above represented 19 percent of the state population in 2010. By 2030, this figure is expected to rise to 25.6 percent.

New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation across all generations. Among state residents aged 60 years and
above, 42.6 percent are from racial or ethnic minority groups compared to 37.7 percent nationally. According to the 2010 Census, 9.8 percent were non- Hispanic blacks, 8.5 percent were Hispanic and 5.3 percent were Asian and Pacific Islanders.

In addition, 40.8 percent live alone. There is also a significant gender gap among the older adults in New Jersey. Women account for 56.8 percent of the population aged 60 and older and 68.6 percent of the population aged 85 and older.

Population of disabled individuals in New Jersey

Approximately 20 percent of the state-wide non-institutionalized population, aged 65-74 claimed a disability in 2010. The prevalence increased substantially with age. In the 75+ age group, 48.8 percent of men and 48.9 percent of women had a disability.



According to the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS), 845,000 individuals, or 9.7 percent of the state’s residents, had reported having at least one type of disability – the second lowest percentage among the nation’s 50 states. Only Utah (8.5%) ranked lower than New Jersey. West Virginia’s 18.9 percent was the highest among the states. Nationally, the percentage of individuals with disabilities was 11.9 percent. New Jersey’s population with disabilities includes more women (55%) than men (45%).

That is partly because disability mostly occur as people age and as senior citizens, women outnumber men. About one-in every three (32.5%) elderly persons (65 and over) had some level of disability.

What Does This Mean?

Due to the current and growing volume of elderly and disabled individuals in our communities, many clients lack the assistance of healthcare providers. Once a healthcare worker is placed with a client, that is one less healthcare provider that is available to assist in Home Health care needs. The demand for Home Health Aides, C.N.A's and other care givers is rising everyday and is expected to rise up to 70% by year 2018.

 Many young adults and retired adults are leaning towards receiving NJ care giver certifications to work part time or full time because of the amount of jobs available in the U.S. and the how quickly they are able to finish the state required training hours.