By Hugh CameronShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA new study by home medical bed specialist Opera Beds found that 93 percent of Americans aged 65 and over are now living with at least one chronic condition, a prevalence that has increased 0.5 percent since 2015.
And where one lives appears to be a key determinant of overall quality of life in later years, with some states scoring well above the national average when it comes to health issues, physical activity and longevity.
Why It Matters
Senior care or "eldercare" has attracted increased attention in the U.S. in recent years, as America's aging population makes existing issues in the wider health care ecosystem—costs, access, labor shortfalls—more transparent. With nearly all seniors living with some form of serious health condition, such issues affect not only the elderly but also caregivers, families and the health care sectors in each state.
The evident disparities provide insight into which policies and underlying structural issues may be behind the issues facing America’s growing group of senior citizens, as well as the strategies that have been—or could be—adopted to address these.
What To Know
Opera Bed’s study examined each state across several factors, including the prevalence of certain medical conditions and life expectancies, combining these into an overall score and ranking.
Vermont stood out as the best state for seniors, with an overall score of 8.4 out of 10. The state boasted relatively low levels of diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol and other medical issues, and a post-65 life expectancy of 19.4 years.
Opera Beds noted that the state’s policymakers are still working to improve conditions for seniors, pointing to its 10-year, multisector road map for "an age-friendly state." This "holistic approach" aims to address the needs of Vermont’s growing senior population through such measures as increasing access to its Medicare Savings Programs and providing additional funding for long-term care facilities.
Hawaii followed with an overall score of 8.2 and the highest post-65 life expectancy in the nation (20.6 years). Colorado came in third, scoring 8.0 thanks in part to low levels of obesity and physical inactivity among seniors.
The remaining states on Opera Beds’s top 10 were:
- Connecticut, score: 7.8
- New Jersey, score: 7.5
- District of Columbia, score: 7.3
- New Hampshire, score: 7.2
- Minnesota, score: 6.9
- Utah, score: 6.8
- Massachusetts, score: 6.7
At the other end, Opera Beds identified West Virginia as the state with the worst quality of life for seniors. With an overall score of just 0.9 out of 10, over a third of West Virginia’s senior population (34.7 percent) live with obesity and nearly two in five (39.4 percent) report suffering from a functional disability of some sort.
States in the South dominate the remainder of Opera Beds’s bottom 10. Alabama is second to last with an overall score of 1.7 and a post-65 life expectancy of 16.4 years, followed by Louisiana, scoring 1.8 and boasting the highest rate of senior obesity in the nation (36.1 percent).
The remaining states at the bottom of Opera Beds’s list were:
- Mississippi, score: 2.1
- Indiana, score: 2.2
- Tennessee, score: 2.2
- Arkansas, score: 2.5
- Georgia, score: 2.8
- Oklahoma, score: 2.8
- Virginia, score: 2.8
What People Are Saying
Dr. Carleara Weiss of Opera Beds wrote: "Living longer does not always mean living better, but there are steps you can take to protect your health and independence as you age. Small, consistent choices add up over time. Staying active is one of the most powerful tools you have. Aim for daily movement, whether that is walking, gardening, or gentle strength exercises that keep muscles and joints strong. Pay attention to your diet, focusing on balanced meals with plenty of fruit, vegetables, and lean protein. Preventive care also matters. Keep up with screenings, manage conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes early, and do not hesitate to ask for support."
What Happens Next
Opera Beds noted some causes for optimism when it comes to senior living in the U.S, with a smaller share now living with heart diseases "likely thanks to better treatment and lifestyle shifts such as declining smoking rates."
However, cancer diagnoses have climbed over 2 percent in the last decade, underscoring some of "the growing health challenges of living longer."
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