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Persons aged 85 years and over have been the most rapidly growing group for some time, although their numbers are yet relatively small. However meager the official data, they do reveal striking differences from other Americans, including a unique sex ratio, higher rates of institutionalization, and lower family income. Examination of recent demographic trends portends the direction of future changes among the oldest old.
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Ira Rosenwaike (1985) studied this question.
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