Seniors Positive About Aging, but Many Not Prepared
Diane C. Lade, Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Posted Aug 11, 2012
Life is good, say more than 2,000 senior citizens in a new nationwide survey
released in Miami on Wednesday.
Almost three-fourths of those surveyed say their past year was as good or
better than the previous one. And more than a third of those under 70 expect
their quality of life to improve as they grow old.
But other results seen in the first-ever "United States of Aging" poll --
which asked questions about health, housing, finances and life satisfaction --
suggests a peek inside some seniors' checkbooks and medical files might hint
they are poorly prepared for the road ahead.
The National Council on Aging, UnitedHealthcare and USA Today
commissioned the telephone survey of adults 60 and older, conducted in five
cities or regions: Miami, Dallas, upstate New York, Milwaukee and southern
California's Orange County.
While 8 out of every 10 Miami seniors plan to age in their homes, almost
40 percent of them said they probably would need a grandchildren or children
to care for them eventually. Twenty-eight percent said they didn't know if
their money would last through retirement or did not have a financial plan, a
rate higher than the national average.
And about one-third said they might not be able to pay for an accident or
unexpected medical expense, also above the national average.
"I was pleased that there was so much positivity about aging, as a
positive attitude has such good impacts on health. But many [elders] have not
done necessary planning," said Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for
UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.
While 84 percent of those surveyed nationally said they believed they
could do what was necessary to maintain their health for the next five to 10
years, only half reported they exercised regularly. "Those engaging in
unhealthy lifestyle habits won't have the ability to age healthy," Randall
said.
The poll, which may be repeated annually, aims to gauge if the baby
boomers are prepared for aging as well as those who retired years ago. The
results will be used to create a discussion guide available for communities
wanting to run forums on how to better serve their elders.
Seniors with household incomes of less than $30,000 face even greater
challenges, as they have fewer resources and tend to be in poorer health, said
Richard Birkel, acting senior vice president at the council's Center for
Healthy Aging. Almost half of those with lower incomes polled said they didn't
know if they could meet their monthly expenses in the near future, and 72
percent had at least one chronic health condition.
Max Rothman, president of the Alliance for Aging serving Miami-Dade and
Monroe counties, said most seniors looking for assistance are close to 80.
About 5,000 are on waiting lists for services like home care.
"I think the biggest problems we keep hearing about fall into the area of
financial insecurity and everything that means," he said.
dlade@tribune.com or 954-356-4295
©2012 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
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