<P> Originally, the purpose of old age pensions was to prevent elderly persons from being reduced to beggary, which is still common in some underdeveloped countries, but growing life expectancies and older populations have brought into question the model under which pension systems were designed . By 1990, the United States was spending 30 per cent of its budget on the elderly, compared with 2 per cent on education . The dominant perception of the American old age population changed from "needy" and "worthy" to "powerful" and "greedy," old people getting more than their share of the nation's resources . However, in 2011, using a Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), the old age American poverty rate was measured as 15.9% . </P> <P> In the United States in 2008, 11 million people aged 65 + lived alone: 5 million or 22% of ages 65--74, 4 million or 34% of ages 75--84, and 2 million or 41% of ages 85 + . The 2007 gender breakdown for all people 65 + was men 19% and women 39% . </P> <P> Many new assistive devices made especially for the home have enabled more old people to care for themselves activities of daily living (ADL). Able Data lists 40,000 assistive technology products in 20 categories . Some examples of devices are a medical alert and safety system, shower seat (making it so the person does not get tired in the shower and fall), a bed cane (offering support to those with unsteadiness getting in and out of bed) and an ADL cuff (used with eating utensils for people with paralysis or hand weakness). </P> <P> A Swedish study found that at age 76, 46% of the subjects used assistive devices . When they reached age 86, 69% used them . The subjects were ambivalent regarding the use of the assistive devices: as "enablers" or as "disablers ." People who view assistive devices as enabling greater independence accept and use them . Those who see them as symbols of disability reject them . However, organizations like Love for the Elderly aim to combat such age - related prejudice by educating the public about the importance of appreciating growing older, while also providing services of kindness to elders in senior homes . </P>

What age does a person become a senior citizen