Table 1. Voices of Seniors Regarding the Future        page 1 of 2

PurposeLocation,
Sample &
Measurements
FindingsAuthors
Determine how boomer generation & 65 plus are doing in 20 social, economic and health areas
  • USA sample
  • 5 federal surveys,
  • UCLA survey,
  • AARP survey
  • Age group 50 to 64 years
  • Over 10 years - all 20 indicators improved;
  • most improvements in income, financial assets, pension coverage, employment rate;
  • least improvements in health insurance;
  • ability to afford needed health care;
  • spending on non-necessities
  • Age group 65 years & older
  • Over 10 years
  • primary declines: income other than SS,
  • employment rate and health status;
  • primary imrovements:
  • ability to afford health care and spending on non-necessities.
AARP Policy
and Strategy
Group,2004
Determine housing and home modification issues for older adults
  • USA sample
  • 2000 respondents, age 45+,
  • Age & gender representative sample
  • Age 55+
  •   86% own home & 89% want to live in own home as long as possible;
  • 86% made at least one simple modification
  •   e.g., installed nightlights, non-skid strips in bathtub or shower, higher wattage light bulbs.
  • 70% made major modification
  •   e.g., installed light switches in stairs, changes so can live on first floor, handrails on both sides of stairs, grab bars in bathroom.
  • Total 90% made changes
  •   48% did work themselves,
  •   75% believe changes will allow them to live in home another 10 years or more
  • Reasons no modifications made, if needed:
  •   37% cannot do themselves,
  •   29% not trusting home contractors,
  •   25% not knowing how to make changes,
  •   22% not knowing how to find a good contractor to do it
Bayer & Harper, 2000
Assess attitudes and preferences for in-home care
  • California sample, representative of state
  • 612 adults, 40 years +
  • Telephone interviews
  • 48% of sample needed in-home care
  • for self or family member in past year.
  • Of these, 55% needed 6+ months of care 51% of total sample could not afford 2 hours per day for 6 months
  • Preferences:
  •   32% family unpaid
  •   30% family paid
  •   21% private hiring of paid help
  •   21% pay home care agency for help
Gray & Feinberg, 2003

Table 1. Voices of Seniors Regarding the Future      Page 2 of 2

PurposeLocation,
Sample &
Measurements
FindingsAuthors
  
  • Extremely Important for home care service:
  •   -help not steal
  •   -adult feels safe & comfortable
  •   -help is on-time
  •   -help is educated/trained
  • 59%: not important that help is same race
Gray & Feinberg, 2003
Examine expectations of boomers & aging adults regarding services that will help them remain independent
  • USA sample
  • 2000 respondents, age 45+
  • Telephone survey
  • 83% want to stay in own home as age
  • 82% want services in own home
  • 68% will be able to rely on family/friends
  • 35% counting on children to help when older
  • Most important features in home:
  •   Bath & bedroom on main floor,
  •   non-slip floors,
  •   covered parking,
  •   climate controls
  • Most important community features:
  •   Safe neighborhoods, hospital,
  •   MD office, worship place
  • Most important community services:
  •   door-to-door transportation
Greenwald, M. & Associates, 2003
Perspectives of persons, age 50+ with disabilities regarding what would make their lives better
  • USA sample
  • 1,102 adults age 50+ with disabilities (68% mobility, 21% vision or hearing 19 cogintive or emotional); most disabilities occurred between age 40 and 64
  • Strongly prefer independent living in own homes
  • Want more control over services received
  •   25% do not use any special equipment
  •   25% need more help with ADLs bathing, cooking
  •   33% need home modification, can not due to $
  •   50% received regular help: mostly family/friends
  •   33% use community services
  • Severe levels of disability decreasing
  •   Persons 65+
  •   In community use assistive technology, do not require human assistance increased 9% to 20%
  • What is most important for quality of life?
  •   96% spending time with family and friends
  •   82% religious/spiritual activities
  •   80% physical activities or exercise
Gibson, 2003