In 2023, about 14.4 percent of the population in Texas was between the ages of 25 and 34 years old. A further 14.3 percent of the population was between the ages of 35 and 44 years old in that same year.

APS investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and provides protective services, regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin to people who are: • age 65 or older; • age 18-64 with a mental, physical, or developmental disability that substantially impairs the ability to live independently or provide for their own self-care or protection; or • emancipated minors with a mental, physical, or developmental disability that substantially impairs the ability to live independently or provide for their own self-care or protection. APS clients do not have to meet financial eligibility requirements. The population totals will not match previously printed DFPS Data Books. Past population estimates are adjusted based on the U.S. Census data as it becomes available. This is important to keep the data in line with current best practices, but may cause some past counts, such as Abuse/Neglect Victims per 1,000 Texas Population, to be recalculated. Population Data Source - Population Estimates and Projections Program, Texas State Data Center, Office of the State Demographer and the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio. Current population estimates and projections for all years from 2010 to 2019 as of December 2019.

Adults age 65 or older are automatically eligible for APS services based on their age. An adult age 18 to 64 old must be substantially impaired to be eligible for APS services. Substantial impairment is defined as: "When a disability grossly and chronically diminishes an adult’s physical or mental ability to live independently or provide self-care as determined through observation, diagnosis, evaluation, or assessment." (Texas Human Resources Code §48.002(a)(8); 40 Texas Administrative Code §705.1001) Assessment of a mental, physical, or developmental disability as indicated by one of the following: • A medical condition • Professional diagnosis • Reported or observed behavior that is consistent with such a diagnosis. The disability must cause a long-lasting and considerable inability to live independently or provide self-care. The population totals do not match prior DFPS Data Books, printed or online. Past population estimates are adjusted based on the U.S. Census data as it becomes available. This is important to keep the data in line with current best practices, but will cause some past counts, such as Abuse/Neglect Victims per 1,000 Texas Children, to be recalculated. Population Data Source - Population Estimates and Projections Program, Texas State Data Center, Office of the State Demographer and the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio. Current population estimates and projections for all years from 2014 to 2023 as of December 2023.

Medicare is an important public health insurance scheme for U.S. adults aged 65 years and over. As of 2024, an estimated 19.1 percent of the U.S. population was covered by Medicare, an increase from the previous year. As of 2023, California, Florida, and Texas had the largest number of adults aged 65 years and older. The Medicare program Medicare has two primary parts: Medicare Part A covers hospital care and Medicare Part B covers medical and preventative services. Both parts of Medicare are available to those aged 65 years and older under certain conditions. Medicare premiums are variable and depend on the enrollee’s income. Despite a majority of the Medicare enrollees being above the federal poverty line, there are still several programs in place to help cover the costs of healthcare for the elderly. Opinions on elderly care in the U.S. It is estimated that about 23 percent of Medicare enrollees are in fair/poor health. But there are lots of questions about who should pay for or help with elderly care long-term. In a recent survey of U.S. adults, about half of the respondents said that health insurance companies should pay for elderly care. However, a majority of adults also supported a long-term government sponsored health plan like Medicaid. The issue is still hotly debated and politicized in the United States.