US Shutting Nursing Facilities Despite Ageing Population
More than 820 nursing facilities closed across the U.S. between 2015 and 2024, according to the hospital bed company Opera Beds. It revealed that 45 out of 51 states saw a reduction in nursing facilities despite a nationwide increase in the older population.
It comes as more than 60 percent of states saw an increase in their citizens aged 85 and older between 2013 and 2023.
The trend threatens to put increasing strain on remaining nursing facilities and homecare services across the country. States with the fastest-ageing populations, such as Alaska, may need to invest substantially more money in healthcare services for the elderly in the coming years.
America's ageing population also poses significant economic challenges when combined with the country's declining birth rate. These include a drop in the working-age population, falling tax revenues, and an increase in individuals reliant on tax-based services like Social Security.
According to Opera Beds, America's population aged 85 and over grew by around 39 percent between 2003 and 2023, significantly higher than the wider population at around 17 percent.
Nevada saw the largest growth in its 85+ population over this period at 127 percent, followed by Alaska at 122 percent, and Hawaii at 100 percent.
These three states in particular face significant strains given the relative drop in facilities, along with the rising cost of living, the researchers warn.
Between 2015 and 2024, Opera Beds found that Montana saw the sharpest decline in nursing facilities, falling by 28 percent; followed by Maine on 21 percent; and Massachusetts on 17 percent.
The findings revealed that Arizona is the least prepared to care for its ageing population, with only 142 nursing facilities. This means there are 1,050 individuals over the age of 85 per available facility. Arizona is followed by Hawaii on 958 individuals per facility, and Florida on 836.
Meanwhile, Iowa is best prepared to care for its ageing population with 412 nursing facilities, and one per 174 residents over the age of 85.
"The state's strong infrastructure for elderly care may be attributed to its rural composition and policies emphasizing accessible healthcare services for older residents," the report stated.
"Additionally, Iowa's long-standing commitment to senior care ensures its ageing population has more options for assisted living and skilled nursing care than in many other states."
Opera Beds used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the health policy research organization KFF.
Opera Beds wrote in its report: "The United States is experiencing a significant demographic shift as its population ages rapidly, with projections indicating a substantial increase in the number of older adults in the coming decades. As the proportion of individuals aged 60 and above grows, the strain on healthcare and homecare services... is becoming more apparent."
James Pomeroy, global economist at HSBC, told Newsweek previously that America's ageing population represented a "massive problem" when combined with the declining birth rate.
"In the U.S., the number of over-65s is expected to rise by more than 1.5 percent per year every year for the next decade," he said. "That means that when birth rates are so low, population pyramids becoming inverted very quickly. Less migration takes people out of the middle section of that pyramid, too, so you would expect the share of the U.S. population of pensionable age to rise quickly in the coming years as a result, which brings big social and economic change."
Opera Beds projects a substantial increase in the U.S. population aged 85 and older by 2043, estimating that Alaska could see its share more than double to two percent of the state's population.
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