Hospitalizations for patients aged 85 and over in the United States, 2000-2010

Data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey. In 2010, adults aged 85 and over accounted for only 2% of the U.S. population but 9% of hospital discharges. From 2000 through 2010, the rate of hospitalizations for adults aged 85 and over declined from 605 to 553 hospitalizations per 1,000 population, a 9% decrease. The rate of fractures and other injuries was higher for adults aged 85 and over (51 per 1,000 population) than for adults aged 65-74 (9 per 1,000 population) and 75-84 (23 per 1,000 population). Adults aged 85 and over were less likely than those aged 65-74 and 75-84 to be discharged home and more likely to die in the hospital. From 2000 through 2010, the number of adults aged 85 and over in the United States rose 31%, from 4.2 million to 5.5 million, and in 2010, this age group represented almost 14% of the population aged 65 and over (1). It is estimated that by 2050, more than 21% of adults over age 65 will be aged 85 and over (2). Given this increase, adults aged 85 and over are likely to account for an increasing share of hospital utilization and costs in the coming years (3). This report describes hospitalizations for adults aged 85 and over with comparisons to adults aged 65-74 and 75-84.