Seniors: Are Your Best Years Yet to Come?

Every day, more than 10,000 baby boomers turn 65. This wave of new retirees–77 million, to be exact–is rapidly changing the face of the American population.

Last week, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) released the results from their first-ever survey of this group. In collaboration with United Healthcare and USA Today, NCOA surveyed 2,250 adults age 60 or over to find out how they feel about growing older, and whether they’re prepared for the future. 

Here are the results of the study:

• More than 75 percent of seniors between the ages of 60 and 69 surveyed expect that their quality of life will stay the same or get better in the future.
• A significant minority aren’t as confident: about one in four said that they’re having trouble with current living expenses, and one in three said they won’t be able to afford long-term care in the future.
• 15 percent say that they aren’t sure that their finances will last through their retirement years, and eight percent have no financial plan for retirement.
• Seniors are, on average, positive about their health: the majority of respondents across all age groups surveyed expect that their health will stay the same or improve over the next five to 10 years.
• 92 percent say that they manage stress well.
• Just over half of those surveyed said that they engage in physical activity at least four days a week.
• A large majority believe that they will continue to live at home without having to make any “home modifications.”
• Nearly nine in 10 older Americans who have a caregiver say they are receiving care from a family caregiver. Of those who don’t have a caregiver, 39 percent think that one of their children or grandchildren will step into that role in the future.
• Perceptions of community services available for older adults vary. A majority of respondent are satisfied with the resources their communities provide, but a quarter of baby boomers said that they aren’t confident that their communities will have all the resources they need to help them stay healthy and independent over the next five to 10 years.

To see the full results of this survey, visit the NCOA’s website.

Do your feelings about aging match what the survey found? What do you agree with, and what don’t you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

To find out more information about adults with disabilities or senior related topics you can call Griswold Home Care at 941.219.3139 or you can visit Griswold Home Care online.