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Seniors and Health - US - December 2018

OVERVIEW
What you need to know
Definition
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Overview: Seniors represent fastest growing segment of US population
Figure 1: Population aged 18 or older, by age, 2018-23
The issues
Seniors lack attention to weight management and mental health
Figure 2: Health conditions – Seniors vs all, August 2018
Loneliness is a key issue
Figure 3: Mental health management, by household size and martial status, August 2018
Incomes among Senior households are lower
Figure 4: Household income distribution, shares by age of householder, 2016
The opportunities
Seniors maintain a positive health outlook
Figure 5: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing, August 2018
Preventive health and self-care are essential wellness tools for Seniors
Figure 6: Motivations for living healthy, August 2018
Seniors continue to work
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
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
US population continues to age
Figure 8: Population aged 18 or older, by age, 2013-23
Senior women outnumber Senior men
Figure 9: Population aged 65 or older, by gender and age, 2013-23
Incomes among Senior households are lower
Figure 10: Household income distribution, shares by age of householder, 2016
Senior population dominated by non-Hispanic Whites
Figure 11: Distribution of the population, by age and race/Hispanic origin, 2018
Seniors’ marital status and living situation change with age
Figure 12: Distribution of households, by age of householder and type of household, 2017
Figure 13: Marital status, by age, 2017
MARKET PERSPECTIVE
Medicare serves Senior population
Figure 14: Health insurance coverage, August 2018
Figure 15: Attitudes toward healthcare, August 2018
Figure 16: Attitudes about healthcare costs, by age, August 2018
MARKET FACTORS 
After decades of increases, life expectancy among Americans drops
Figure 17: Life expectancy in the US, 1940-2016
The Boomers are here
Figure 18: Population, by generation, 2018
Seniors remain in the labor force
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 
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?
Preventative health and self-care are important to Seniors
Figure 21: Frequency of practicing self-care, by age, October 2017
Figure 22: Usage of select vitamins, minerals, and supplements, by age, June 2018
Figure 23: Health attributes sought, by age, May 2018
Seniors are satisfied with health coverage
Figure 24: Health attributes sought, by age, May 2018
WHAT’S STRUGGLING?
Seniors struggle with mental health as a taboo subject
Figure 25: Mental health management – Seniors vs all, August 2018
Loneliness is a key issue
Figure 26: Mental health management, by gender, household size, and marital status, August 2018
Fewer Seniors manage their weight
Figure 27: Weight management – Seniors vs all, August 2018
WHAT’S NEXT?
Engage Seniors in exercise
Figure 28: Exercise frequency, by age, September 2018
Smart tech offers promise for Seniors
Boomers want wellness as part of Senior living
Figure 29: Perceptions of retirement communities, February 2016
THE CONSUMER – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 
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
Seniors focus on mobility and managing chronic illnesses
Figure 30: Health focuses – Seniors vs all, August 2018
Low-income Seniors are less focused on exercise
Figure 31: Health focuses, by income, August 2018
Senior women taking a more holistic approach
Figure 32: Health focuses, by gender, August 2018
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Seniors take care of basics but eschew mental health
Figure 33: Health condition management, August 2018
Senior women show a better response toward mental health care
Figure 34: Health condition management – Mental health, by gender, August 2018
Weight challenges younger Seniors, aging ailments have a greater impact on older Seniors
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
Figure 36: Health condition management – Dental health, by income, August 2018
Arthritis and bone density management sought by Senior women
Figure 37: Health condition management – Arthritis and bone density health, by gender, August 2018
MOTIVATIONS FOR HEALTHY LIVING 
Seniors focus on mobility and managing chronic illnesses
Figure 38: Motivations for living healthy – Seniors vs all, August 2018
Senior men are motivated by their spouse/partner
Figure 39: Motivations for living healthy, by gender, August 2018
Higher-income Seniors take part in proactive care to enjoy retirement, travel
Figure 40: Motivations for living healthy, by income, August 2018
INFORMATION SOURCES
Medical professionals provide the most trustworthy information
Figure 41: Information sources, August 2018
Senior women more apt than men to trust online and news sources
Figure 42: Information sources, by gender, August 2018
Higher-income Seniors have trust in medical professionals
Figure 43: Information sources, by income, August 2018
ATTITUDES TOWARD HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Seniors happy and confident in their health management
The mental health discussion
Wearable devices offer opportunity
Figure 44: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing, August 2018
Senior women keep up with health trends
Figure 45: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing – Net agree, by gender, August 2018
Younger Seniors don’t think of themselves as old
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
Figure 47: Attitudes toward health and wellbeing – Net agree, by income, August 2018
APPENDIX – DATA SOURCES AND ABBREVIATIONS
Data sources
Consumer survey data
Abbreviations and terms
Abbreviations

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