Facts and Figures of Elderly Life

In 1994, the latest year for which statistics were available, 32.8 million seniors--those 65 and older--in the United States were enrolled in Medicare.

Here are more facts and figures about the health of the elderly (with the most recent year for available statistics):

* The leading cause of death: heart disease (1996)

* Life expectancy at 65: 17 1/2 years (1996)

* Percentage who say they’re in fair or poor health: 28% (1994)

* Percentage of home-health-care patients 65 and older: 73% (1994)

* Number in nursing homes: 1.4 million (1995)

* Number of physician contacts per person: 11.3 (1994)

* Average length of hospital stay: 6.8 days (1995)

* Percentage of women who have had a recent mammogram: 54% (1993)

* Percentage limited in activity: 38% (1994)

Source: National Center for Health Statistics