Why is this important?
People with a disability have difficulties performing activities due to a physical, mental, or
emotional condition. The extent to which a person is limited by a disability is heavily dependent on
the social and physical environment in which he or she lives. Without sufficient accommodations, people
with disabilities may have difficulties living independently. There is often a strong relationship
between disability status and reported health status, and many individuals with disabilities require
more specialized health care and assistance as a result of the disability. Several federal agencies use
information on the size, distribution, and needs of the disabled population in order to develop
policies, distribute funds, and develop programs for individuals with disabilities. As of 2020, the
rate of disabilities among older adults in Orange County is less than national and state rates.
Almost a quarter of those 60 years and older in Orange County are living with a disability, a rate much
lower than the State and the Country.
-
Percentage of Adults 65+ With a Disability
24.7%
Orange County
-
29.2%
California
-
34.5%
The United States of America
Older Adults With A Disability
|
State Total |
State 65+ |
County Total |
County 65+ |
Disability Status |
With any disability |
10.7% |
29.2% |
8.9% |
24.7% |
No disability |
89.3% |
70.8% |
91.1% |
75.3% |
The rate of disability from ages 65-74 is about 18%; that more than doubles after 75 years to 45.9%,
affecting millions of Americans each year. There are also difficulties related to older parents who are
the carers of adult children with disabilities - particularly Down yndrome, Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS), mental health issues, and mobility impairment due to accident or injury.
Disabilities can be categorized into four main types:
- Lifelong or congenital
- Acquired by trauma (e.g. car accidents, sports injuries, lived experiences including veterans)
- Age-related (arthritis, instability, eyesight, hearing, chronic diseases: cancer, diabetes,
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s)
- Older parents who are care-takers of adult children with disabilities.
Disabled Population in Orange County, 2018
Margin of Error: Disability Compendium figure = 8.5% of the county are disabled = 270,894
Error: 36,689 people = 1.15%
Adults 65+ With a Disability (measurement period: 2008-2019)
Orange County
Rates of disability increase sharply with age. Disability takes a much heavier toll on the very old. As
indicated below, those 75 years of age and older were significantly more likely to have a disability
compared to those 65-74.
Disability Prevalence by Age (measurement period: 2008-2017)
Orange County