Older Adults and Their Caregivers Don’t Always Agree
Every day for the next 18 years, roughly 10,000 Americans will celebrate their 65th birthdays. When it comes to growing old in America, the perceptions of those baby boomers and the people who help take care of them vary greatly.
These revelations come from the most recent United States of Aging survey from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the National Council on Aging and United Healthcare. The survey examines older adults’ attitudes on a range of issues such as health, finances, and community support, and then compares them to the attitudes of professionals or caregivers who work closely with them. When asked what their top three concerns were, both groups had significant differences of opinion about the issues of growing older.
Top 3 Concerns For Adults 60 and Older
- 40% Maintaining their physical health
- 35% Memory loss
- 32% Maintaining their mental health
Top 3 Concerns For Professionals
- 43% Protection from financial scams
- 38% Access to affordable housing
- 38% Memory loss
Overall Preparedness
On the topic of being prepared for aging, older adults are more confident about the future than the caregivers or professionals who support them.
Home Sweet Home
Older adults are looking to their communities for support as they age so they can continue living in their homes and neighborhoods as long as possible.
- Fifty-eight percent of older adults have not changed residences in 20 years.
- Seventy-five percent intend to live in their current homes for the rest of their lives.
When asked what concerns they have about living independently, adults 60 and older say they are most concerned about becoming a burden to others, experiencing memory loss, and not being able to get out of the house and/or drive.
Exercise and Eat Healthy to Stay Sharp
To stay mentally sharp, both groups agree on exercising and eating healthy, but older adults say number one is keeping a positive attitude. Caregivers and professionals stress the importance of keeping active socially.
Physical activity is on the rise. According to the survey, 82 percent of older adults say they exercise at least once per week, up from 75 percent the previous year.
To access the survey findings, visit ncoa.org/UnitedStatesofAging.
Submitted by
Synergy HomeCare