Demographics of Residential Care Facilities Residents

The U.S. Department Of Health and Human Services recently released a data brief detailing the demographics of Americans living in State-Funded Residential Care Facilities (RCF), such as those living in assisted living communities. In 2010, 733,300 citizens lived in RCF’s. Of those, 91% of were non-Hispanic whites, and 70% were female.  Almost 2 in 10 were Medicaid beneficiaries.  Younger residents, those under 65, were the most likely to have Medicaid, with 56% receiving benefits.  The majority of residents were 85 and older, with 54% falling into the oldest age group.  Chronic medical conditions were highly prevalent as well, with more than three quarters of residents possessing at least 2 of the 10 most common chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  More than a quarter of residents suffered from four or more of these chronic illnesses.

Hispanics Represent Sizable Proportion of Labor Force Growth

The Pew Research Center reports that from 2010 to 2020, Hispanics are predicted to add 7.7 million jobs to the labor force.  This figure will account for 74% of the 10.5 million jobs expected to be added in total.  From 1990-2000, Hispanics added 36 percent of jobs to the workforce.  This percent jumped to 54 percent in the most recent decade of 2000-2010.  There are a couple factors involved in the high, and growing percentage of Hispanics added to the workforce.  Hispanics are growing in numbers due to a high birth rate and immigration.  On the other hand, the aging of non-Hispanic whites is predicted to diminish their numbers in the workforce.  In addition, a slightly higher percent of Hispanics, 67.5 percent, is actively searching for a job or is employed, compared to the national average of 64.7 percent.  Pew also notes that Hispanics are younger than other ethnicities, so their substantial contribution to the labor force should be expected to persist.