As the Baby Boom generation ages into retirement, advances in longevity, the rise of aging in place, and lingering behavioral shifts from the pandemic are reshaping what daily life looks like for older Americans. The average day in the life of a 65 year old in the United States has changed substantially over the last 20 years and now looks worlds apart from the daily routines of generations prior.
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Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics American Time Use Survey show adults 65 and older spending less time in activities that take place outside the home like social gatherings, cultural outings, and formal worship, and more time engaging in digital behaviors like computer use and texting. Physical activities like walking and light exercise have increased, while cognitively demanding pastimes like reading have declined in prevalence. A closer look at BLS ATUS data reveals how a day in the life of the average 65+ American has changed in the last 20 years.
To determine how a day in the life of the average 65+ American has changed in the last 20 years, Nifty 50+ reviewed annual historical data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics American Time Use Survey. Detailed activity categories were ranked based on the percentage change in average time use for Americans 65 years and older from 2003 to 2024.
INCREASING BEHAVIORS: People 65+ spend more time participating in …
10. Telephone calls
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +36.4%
9. Walking
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +37.5%
8. Household and personal organization
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +41.7%
7. Sports, exercise, and recreation
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +42.9%
6. Personal e-mail and messaging
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +50.0%
5. Animal and pet care
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +80.0%
4. Household childcare (grandkids, etc.)
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +100.0%
3. Vehicle care
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +133.3%
2. Personal (at-home) religious practice
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +140.0%
1. Computer use for leisure
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: +200.0%
DECREASING BEHAVIORS: People 65+ spend less time participating in …
10. Home maintenance
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 33.3%
9. Health-related self care
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 38.9%
8. Reading for personal interest
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 39.8%
7. Attending religious services
> Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 40.0%
6. Caring for nonhousehold adults
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 41.7%
5. Personal mail and correspondence
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 50.0%
4. Educational activities
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 50.0%
3. Arts and entertainment
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 55.6%
2. Attending or hosting social events
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 55.6%
1. Non-work income-generating activities
• Percentage change in time in activity among 65+ adults, 2003 to 2024: – 66.7%
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