Table of Contents
Executive Summary
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- Overview: Seniors represent fastest growing segment of US population
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- Figure 1: Population aged 18 or older, by age, 2018-23
- The issues
- Seniors lack attention to weight management and mental health
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- Figure 2: Health conditions – Seniors vs all, August 2018
- Loneliness is a key issue
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- Figure 3: Mental health management, by household size and martial status, August 2018
- Incomes among Senior households are lower
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- Figure 4: Household income distribution, shares by age of householder, 2016
- The opportunities
- Seniors maintain a positive health outlook
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- Figure 5: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing, August 2018
- Preventive health and self-care are essential wellness tools for Seniors
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- Figure 6: Motivations for living healthy, August 2018
- Seniors continue to work
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- Figure 7: Labor force participation rate of adults aged 65 and older, by age, 1996-2026
- What it means
Seniors – What You Need to Know
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- With the arrival of Boomers, Senior population continues to grow
- Women represent larger share of Senior population
- Seniors have lower household incomes
- Senior population dominated by White non-Hispanics
- Married Seniors face the prospect of becoming widowed as they age
- Medicare serves the healthcare needs of the Senior population
- Dip in life expectancy among Americans
- Seniors are staying employed longer
Seniors by the Numbers
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- US population continues to age
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- Figure 8: Population aged 18 or older, by age, 2013-23
- Senior women outnumber Senior men
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- Figure 9: Population aged 65 or older, by gender and age, 2013-23
- Incomes among Senior households are lower
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- Figure 10: Household income distribution, shares by age of householder, 2016
- Senior population dominated by non-Hispanic Whites
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- Figure 11: Distribution of the population, by age and race/Hispanic origin, 2018
- Seniors’ marital status and living situation change with age
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- Figure 12: Distribution of households, by age of householder and type of household, 2017
- Figure 13: Marital status, by age, 2017
Market Perspective
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- Medicare serves Senior population
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- Figure 14: Health insurance coverage, August 2018
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- Figure 15: Attitudes toward healthcare, August 2018
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- Figure 16: Attitudes about healthcare costs, by age, August 2018
Market Factors
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- After decades of increases, life expectancy among Americans drops
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- Figure 17: Life expectancy in the US, 1940-2016
- The Boomers are here
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- Figure 18: Population, by generation, 2018
- Seniors remain in the labor force
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- Figure 19: Labor force participation rate of adults aged 65 and older, by age, 1996-2026
- Figure 20: Unemployment and underemployment, January 2007-October 2018
Key Players – What You Need to Know
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- Seniors prioritize proactive, self-care
- Health coverage meets the needs of most Seniors
- Loneliness and other mental health issues hard to diagnosis in Seniors
- Seniors less engaged in weight management
- Exercise offers opportunity to engage Seniors
- Tech-savvy Seniors? – increasingly so!
- Boomers change Senior living with wellness demands
What’s In?
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- Preventative health and self-care are important to Seniors
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- Figure 21: Frequency of practicing self-care, by age, October 2017
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- Figure 22: Usage of select vitamins, minerals, and supplements, by age, June 2018
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- Figure 23: Health attributes sought, by age, May 2018
- Seniors are satisfied with health coverage
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- Figure 24: Health attributes sought, by age, May 2018
What’s Struggling?
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- Seniors struggle with mental health as a taboo subject
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- Figure 25: Mental health management – Seniors vs all, August 2018
- Loneliness is a key issue
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- Figure 26: Mental health management, by gender, household size, and marital status, August 2018
- Fewer Seniors manage their weight
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- Figure 27: Weight management – Seniors vs all, August 2018
What’s Next?
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- Engage Seniors in exercise
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- Figure 28: Exercise frequency, by age, September 2018
- Smart tech offers promise for Seniors
- Boomers want wellness as part of Senior living
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- Figure 29: Perceptions of retirement communities, February 2016
The Consumer – What You Need to Know
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- Mobility and chronic illness are key health focuses among Seniors
- Seniors are active health managers
- Prevention of sickness and pain motivate Seniors to live healthfully
- Seniors trust their doctors for health information
- Seniors are confident in their ability to take care of their own wellbeing
Health Focuses
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- Seniors focus on mobility and managing chronic illnesses
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- Figure 30: Health focuses – Seniors vs all, August 2018
- Low-income Seniors are less focused on exercise
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- Figure 31: Health focuses, by income, August 2018
- Senior women taking a more holistic approach
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- Figure 32: Health focuses, by gender, August 2018
Health Management
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- Seniors take care of basics but eschew mental health
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- Figure 33: Health condition management, August 2018
- Senior women show a better response toward mental health care
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- Figure 34: Health condition management – Mental health, by gender, August 2018
- Weight challenges younger Seniors, aging ailments have a greater impact on older Seniors
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- Figure 35: Currently managing body weight, heart health, arthritis, bone density, and urinary issues, by age, August 2018
- Low-income Seniors less likely to treat oral health
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- Figure 36: Health condition management – Dental health, by income, August 2018
- Arthritis and bone density management sought by Senior women
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- Figure 37: Health condition management – Arthritis and bone density health, by gender, August 2018
Motivations for Healthy Living
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- Seniors focus on mobility and managing chronic illnesses
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- Figure 38: Motivations for living healthy – Seniors vs all, August 2018
- Senior men are motivated by their spouse/partner
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- Figure 39: Motivations for living healthy, by gender, August 2018
- Higher-income Seniors take part in proactive care to enjoy retirement, travel
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- Figure 40: Motivations for living healthy, by income, August 2018
Information Sources
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- Medical professionals provide the most trustworthy information
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- Figure 41: Information sources, August 2018
- Senior women more apt than men to trust online and news sources
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- Figure 42: Information sources, by gender, August 2018
- Higher-income Seniors have trust in medical professionals
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- Figure 43: Information sources, by income, August 2018
Attitudes toward Health and Wellbeing
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- Seniors happy and confident in their health management
- The mental health discussion
- Wearable devices offer opportunity
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- Figure 44: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing, August 2018
- Senior women keep up with health trends
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- Figure 45: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing – Net agree, by gender, August 2018
- Younger Seniors don’t think of themselves as old
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- Figure 46: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing – Net agree, by age, August 2018
- Lower-income Seniors regret past choice and have less hope for change
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- Figure 47: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing – Net agree, by income, August 2018
Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations
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- Data sources
- Consumer survey data
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
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