One in five LIers 65 or older cope with the challenges of aging on their own

There are more Long Islanders who are age 65 years or older today than a decade ago. One in five — approximately 111,000 seniors — are now living alone while coping with the challenges of aging in the suburbs.

Between 2015 and 2023, the total population of Long Island grew about 2% from 2.86 million to 2.91 million, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. During the same period, the percentage of residents age 65 and over jumped more than 19% from 423,318 to 504,863. Suffolk County’s senior population rose 21.7% from around 212,357 in 2015 to an estimated 258,415 in 2023, while Nassau’s climbed about 16.8% from 210,961 to 246,448.

Over 65 was the age group to have seen the largest uptick during the same period. The number of Long Islanders in the 18-to-34 age group grew 3.7% from an estimated 554,773 to 575,299, and the number of 35- to 64-year-olds fell 3.4% from 1.18 million to 1.14 million. Data estimates released today from the U.S. Census Bureau show that nearly half all counties in the United States had more people 65 years and older than children under the age of 18. Nassau and Suffolk were not on that list, but project an upward growth in the population group.

While the ratio of people in the 65-plus age group living alone has remained about the same, there are around 14,200 more adults 65 and older living alone on Long Island today than in 2015, a climb from 97,306 to 111,587.

According to a Pew Research study, 27% of adults age 60 years and older live alone nationwide. When living alone, the risk of injury and social isolation increases among our oldest and most vulnerable populations. Difficulty in managing medication and limited mobility can further downgrade the standard of living. A survey by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center found that one in five Americans 65 years and older no longer drive and nine out of 10 of those said their lives were negatively impacted by it.

The alternatives to living alone are limited — move out of the three-bedroom to smaller accommodations or with family or relocate to a senior living facility. An estimated 97,000 seniors on Long Island lived with a relative in 2023 and at least 11,000 lived with a nonfamily member.

Continuing to stay in one’s home can exacerbate an already tight housing market here on Long Island. Residents are burdened with the demands of maintaining a larger house while struggling to downsize in a low-inventory housing market. Moving to a senior living facility can be both expensive and emotional, with many seniors finding themselves on waitlists. Meanwhile, the long list of residents awaiting state funding for assistance with meals and transportation so they can continue residing in their homes is also testimony to the growing concerns of seniors in the region living alone.