Ag Aging Survey 5-1-08

8/8/2019 Ag Aging Survey 5-1-08

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Older Adults in the Atlanta Region:

Preferences, Practices andPotential of the 55+ Population

Atlanta Regional Commission2007


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The Atlanta Regional Commission is the ofcial planning agency or the 10-county Atlanta Region, which includes Cherokee,

Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties as well as the City o Atlanta and

65 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission serves as a catalyst or regional progress by ocusing leadership, attention

and planning resources on key regional issues. As the Area Agency on Aging or the 10-county metropolitan Atlanta area,ARC is charged with planning or the needs o the regions older adults. ARC manages state and ederal dollars to leverage

local support and provides research, technical assistance, monitoring and compliance to the regions local aging programs.ARC supports a community-based aging network made up o 10 county-based agencies and 11 specialized agencies thattarget populations with special needs.

Executive Director: Chick Krautler

Aging Division Chie: Cathie Berger

Board Chair: Commissioner Sam Olens

Aging Services Committee Chair: Mayor Clark Boddie

Survey conducted by: UGA Carl Vinson Institute o Government

Data Analysis and Report: Kathryn LawlerGraphic Design: Barry Golivesky

Editing: Grace Trimble

Note on MethodologyThe Carl Vinson Institute o the University o Georgia drew 11 independent samples or each o 10 counties and the City o Atlanta within the Atlanta regionIn total, 1,651 individuals 55 and over were interviewed between September 15 and October 14 o 2006. The maximum sampling error or any singlecounty is +/- eight percent, while the sampling error or the entire region is +/- our percent.

Douglas

Fayette

Fulton

Cobb

Clayton

Henry

Rockdale

Gwinnett

Cherokee

DeKalb


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Older Adults in the Atlanta Region: Preerences, Practices and Potential o the 55+ Population

Atlanta, like the rest o the country and many parts o theworld, is experiencing a dramatic increase in its older adultpopulation. Between 2000 and 2015 the aging population

is expected to double. By 2030, one in ve residents willbe over the age o 60.

Recent data support these projections. From 2000 to 2005,the older adult population grew by 30.6%, more thandouble the rate o growth in the regions population duringthe same period o time. Growth in the older adultpopulation exceeded growth in the total population in allbut one o the regions counties.

This marks a signicant change or Atlanta, a region accus-

tomed to growth, but growth that has historically occurredin the younger and working populations. This tremendousshit will transorm the region and challenge every aspect ocommunity lie: healthcare, transportation, employment,housing, recreation and leisure, economic development,inrastructure expansion and education. It will orce localleaders to question the way billions o dollars are spent. Itwill aect the way public and private services are delivered,homes are built, even the way streets are crossed. Despitethese challenges, the rapidly increasing older adult populationoers the Atlanta region the opportunity to re-imagine what it

means to live as a community and recognize that preparingor the uture older adult population will improve the qualityo lie or all residents, no matter their age.

To prepare or this demographic shit, it is critical or localcommunities in the region to explore what the uture olderadult population will need, what as individuals plan to doand how as a group, they might dier rom previousgenerations o retirees. Americans are living much longer,and compared with previous generations, older adults arehealthier and wealthier. Many uture older adults have verydierent expectations or their retirement years, contemplatingshits in their housing, employment, leisure and travel choices.Finally, even a quick glance at the demographics and theamount o public unding currently allocated toward aging

services shows that communities cannot rely on the traditionaservice system to meet the needs o the growing population.The dollars simply are not available. Additional unds haveto be leveraged, and personal resources must be maximized.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is committed to ensuringthat Greater Atlanta is Great or a Lietime. To betterunderstand the characteristics and preerences o the utureolder adult population and how the rapid growth will aectthe Atlanta region, the Atlanta Regional Commissionpartnered with the UGA Carl Vinson Institute to survey the55+ population in the 10-county metropolitan area(Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette,Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties).

The ollowing pages review key ndings o the survey anddiscuss some o the issues acing older adults in thecommunity. With this inormation in hand, it is ARCs hopethat local communities can ully explore all the opportunitiesthe aging o the population presents.

Introduction


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A majority o older adults think the Atlanta region is agood place to retire (67%).

Most older adults have been aging in place living in

the region an average o 37 years and most hope tocontinue aging in place; 64% state that they wouldremain in their current home as long as they can.

Even i they do move rom their existing home, 52%plan to move to another home in the Atlanta region.

A signicant number o the 55+ population are notworking (67%). O those who are working, 52% plan tocontinuing working ater they retire rom their current job.

A third o older adults volunteer on a regular basis.Their volunteer work is mostly part-time and occurs atleast weekly.

Less than hal o the older adult population said theywere in good or excellent health. Those with higherlevels o education and higher annual incomes weremore likely to be in good health.

85% o those surveyed, reported that their mentalhealth was good or excellent.

The vast majority o older adults exercise at least 1-2times a week, but 11% do not exercise at all.

Almost all older adults are checking their bloodpressure and cholesterol levels regularly, but less thanhal are getting fu shots or pneumonia vaccines.

Only 21% o older adults in the Atlanta region ownlong-term care insurance policies.

45% o older adults are very or somewhat concernedthat they will not be able to pay or long-term care.

88% o older adults use their own vehicle as theirprimary mode o transportation, and 15% report

having trouble getting where they need to go.

13% o the 55+ population plan on using publictransportation as their primary mode when theycan no longer drive, but 57% plan to be drivenaround by others.

Key Findings


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The older adult population in the Atlanta region is growingat a tremendous pace1. Over the last ve years, in allcounties but one, growth in the older adult populationexceeded growth in the total population. Four counties had

growth rates in their older adult populations that exceeded35%. By 2030 more than 1.2 million older adults will callthe Atlanta region home2. This trend in the Atlanta region isconsistent with the state as a whole. Georgia has the eighthastest growing older adult population in the country,ranking just ater traditional retirement destinations likeFlorida, New Mexico and Arizona.

The growth in the regions older adult population is rom

both in-migration and aging in place. More older adults aremoving to the region, and as the regions once-youngresidents age, they are continuing to call Atlanta home. Inthe 2000 Census more than a third o individuals over theage o 65 had lived in their current residence more than 35

years. Consistent with national surveys, the majority o older

1 Unless otherwise indicated, the data cited in the Basic Demographicssection are rom the US Census Bureau.

2 ARC Estimate

adults in Atlanta continue to express a strong desire toremain in their homes. With so many individuals decidingto age in place, the regions median age has risen steadilyover the last several decades. In 1970 the median age was

27.2 years. In 2005 the median age in was 34.1 years.This means that over hal o the regions population is overthe age o 34.

Georgia is a net receiver rom all but 14 states, meaningthat more older adults move to Georgia rom 36 states thanolder adults move rom Georgia to those states. Surprisingto many is the act that rom 1995 to 2000 more individualsmoved to Georgia rom Florida, Caliornia, Texas and NewMexico, than moved rom Georgia to these states.

Finally, the older adult population is growing because thepopulation is simply living longer. Lie expectancy hasincreased dramatically over the last century. From 1900 to2003 lie expectancy at birth rose rom 48 to 75 or menand rom 51 to 80 or women. Lie expectancy at 65 rose

rom 12 to 17 years or men and rom 12 to 20 years orwomen. This means that or older adults who reach the ageo 65, men are likely to live to age 82 and women arelikely to live to age 85. More and more Americans willretire and can expect to live another 20 to 30 years3.

3 Health, United States, 2006: Chart Book on Trends in the Health oAmericans Centers or Disease Control Atlanta, Georgia 2006.

2000 - 2005 Population Change

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Cherokee

Clayton

Cobb

DeKalb

Douglas

Fayette

Fulton

Gwinnett

Henry

Rockdale

Region

Total Population 55+ Population

Projected Growth in65+ Population 2000-2030

Nevada 264.10%

Alaska 256.30%

Arizona 255.10%

Florida 176.70%

New Mexico 161.60%

Texas 150.20%

Idaho 147.40%

Georgia 143.00%

Utah 142.10%

Wyoming 140.20%

20

25

30

35

40

1970 1980 1990 2000 2005

Median Age, Atlanta Region 1970-2005

Basic Demographics

0

5

10

15

20

25

1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2002

Number of Years

65+

85+

Men 65+

Men 85+

Women 65+

Women 85+

Changes in Life Expectancy 1900-2003


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How individuals perceive the Atlanta region as a placeto retire is likely to be infuenced by many actors. As asingle measure, it may indicate whether or not individualswill plan to remain in the region as they age.

In the recent survey conducted by the Vinson Institute, amajority o older adults, 67%, reported that the regionwas a good or excellent place to retire. This trend isalmost completely consistent across age groups withthe exception o the 55-59 age group. Fewer o the55-59 age group (60%) gave the region the highestratings and more o the 55-59 rated the region as apoor place to retire (12% compared to 10% o the

older adult population.) 13% o individuals withincomes over $100,000/year rated the region aspoor. More nonwhites and adults age 80 and oldergive the region the highest rating, 30% o both groupssay Atlanta is an excellent place to retire.

Older adults living in the smaller and more suburbanor rural counties gave the region lower ratings thanthose living in the urbanized areas. More than 15% o

older adults living in Clayton, Henry and Rockdalecounties rated the region as a poor place to retirecompared with only 7% in DeKalb, Fulton and Cobbcounties. In addition more than 70% o older adultsliving in DeKalb and Fulton counties gave the regiongood or excellent ratings. Cherokee County is anexception. More rural in composition, it ollows thetrend o the more urban counties as more than 70% oolder adults living in Cherokee gave the region thehighest ratings.

Older adults in the region have been here a long timeand plan to stay as long as possible. Their preerence toage in place challenges the notion that all older adultsmove to the country, the mountains or to sunny destinationswhen they retire. It also means that it is possible to knowwhere a majority o the uture older adult population willbe and as a result, plan or their needs. For many olderadults, their uture residence is their current residence.

The average number o years an individual over the

age o 55 has lived in the Atlanta region is 37.Residents in Douglas, Fulton and Henry counties haveon average lived in the region more than 40 years.Cobb, Fayette and Gwinnett had the shortest mediantenures, between 30 and 32 years.

Most older adults have lived not only in the region, butat their current address or some time. On averageadults 55 and older have lived in their houses 19years. Not surprisingly, the counties with some o theregions older housing stock also had averagesgreater than 20 years (Fulton and DeKalb counties).Older adults in Gwinnett and Cherokee counties havelived in their current houses the shortest period o time,approximately 14 years.

The vast majority o older adults, 84%, own the homein which they live. O those who dont own theirhome, 29% live with amily. Ownership decreaseswith age, as those over age 85 are more likely to livewith amily or in some type o supportive livingarrangement. Fayette and Henry counties have the

Overall Perception oAtlanta Region

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

55-59 60-64 65-69 70-79 80+

Poor Fair Good Excellent

Age

Quality of Region as a Place to Retire

Housing


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highest rate o homeownership (93% and 92%respectively), while DeKalb and Fulton counties have thelowest rates (79% and 80%). While the dierence inhomeownership rates between counties is tied to severalactors including income, it is also related to theavailability o rental and supportive housing. DeKalband Fulton counties have the lowest rates o home-ownership, but comparatively they have the highestnumber o rental and supportive housing options.

Most older adults report a strong desire to remain intheir current homes. 64% o the 55+ population saidthey would stay as long as they can, and 22% saidthey would move within the next 10 years. Thepreerence to age in place increases with age; 86% othe 80+ population plan to stay in their currentresidence. The expressed desire to remain in the samehome increases as both education and income levelsrise. This may be correlated to the ability to pay or amove as well as the existence o housing options in thesurrounding community. I viable alternatives do notexist, an older adult is more likely to stay put, whetheror not he or she preers to do so. DeKalb and Douglas

counties at 73% had the highest percentage o olderadults who plan to stay in their homes. Gwinnett andClayton had the lowest at 53% and 54% respectively.

I individuals do move, they are more likely to do so beoreage 70, to move to a house smaller than their existingresidence and to one within the Atlanta region. Thedesire to live closer to amily was the actor most likely toinfuence where someone would move. These preerencesraise some concerns about housing or older adultscurrently under construction in the outer edges o the region,

removed rom existing communities where children and

grandchildren live. They also suggest that housingdesigned to meet the needs o older adults should beintegrated within existing neighborhoods so that olderadults can ind homes near their amily members.Surprisingly, very ew older adults say they would moveto be close to other people their age, yet much o thehousing that is being built or older adults is age-restricted

When asked i they did move:

49% would move to a smaller residence. 52% would move to a location within

the Atlanta region. 43% would move to be closer to their amily, and85% have amily in Atlanta region.

20% would move to nd more aordable housing. 25% would move to be closer to doctors. 17% would move to have access to

entertainment venues. 29% would move to live in a quiet community. 13% would move to be around people my own age.

Many o the questions asked about housing preerencesollowed a trend line that peaked with the 60-64 or 65-

70 age group and then decreased as it approached the80+ age category. This may demonstrate a correlationbetween a change in work status and a change in housingpreerences. As individuals begin to retire or move topart-time work, many components o their daily liveschange including transportation patterns, ree time, leisureand volunteer activities. These changes oten present anopportunity to adjust their home environment as well.Because many individuals are having children later inlie, it is only at these older age groups that they becomeempty nesters and are able to downsize.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-79 80

+Male

Female

Whit

e

Nonwhit

e

Living in home owned by another Own home

Living Arrangements0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-79

80+

Age

remain as long as possible move within 10 years

Length of Time Older Adults Plan tolive in Current Residence


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For many, growing older is ocused on retirement leaving the day-to-day commitment o a ull-time joband pursuing hobbies, travel, spending time with theiramilies or on the gol course, giving back to thecommunity or starting a second career. While actualretirement plans and activities are as diverse as thenumber o retirees, or just about everyone a changein employment status means a change in many otherparts o their lives. Understanding the employmentstatus o the older adult population, how long thosewho are employed plan to continue working and whatactors are involved in shaping an individuals choicesabout employment, inorms not only what we knowabout the labor orce, but other changes likely toimpact the community at large. This includes but is not

limited to transportation patterns as individuals nolonger commute to a 9 to 5 job, housing preerences,social and civic activities, spending patterns, leisureand recreation activities.

The majority o older adults in the Atlanta region arenot working at all. The percentage o older adultsworking ull-time decreases with age rom 38% (age55-59) to 2% (80+). The largest drop in ull-timeemployment occurs between the 60-64 age group andthe 65-70 age group. While there are many actorswhich determine when an individual leaves the workorce,healthcare is oten one o them. The drop in employmentrates between the 60-64 and 65-70 age groups islikely to be related Medicare coverage groups is couldbe related to Medicare coverage which or mostbegins at age 65. Some older adults continue to workin order to retain employer sponsored healthcarecoverage until they are eligible or Medicare.

O those who are currently working: 25% plan to work ull-time ater retiring rom their

current job.

31% plan to work part-time. 32% do not plan to work at all.

O those who are not currently employed: 72% retired rom a ull-time job. 26% either did not work beore or held part-time

employment beore retiring.

As education level increases, employment levels increases:

81% o those with a high school diploma or less arenot working, whereas 55% o those who have donepost-graduate education are working either ull-time orpart-time. Not surprisingly the rate o employment alsoincreases with income. Only 34% o older adults withannual incomes over $100,000/year are notworking; 65% are working either ull- or part-time.

The percentage working part-time remains relativelyconsistent (12-15% o the population) until age 80when it drops to 3%. The consistency in part-time

employment raises a number o questions important tolocal communities as they plan or an aging population:Does the Atlanta economy provide a set amount opart-time work, keeping the number o older adultswith part time employment constant? Are individualsbetter able to manage part-time employment as theyage, allowing them to work over a longer period otime? Do employers in the Atlanta region have thefexibility to oer meaningul part-time opportunitiesor the growing older adult population?

The inormation also suggests that an increase in part-

time and alternative employment arrangements couldkeep older adults employed longer and address thetightening o the labor orce as boomers retire.

Employment

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

55-59 60-64 65-69 70-79 80+

Not working at all Working par t time Working full time

Employment Status of Older Adults


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Volunteers are a critical component o community lie.Many nonprot organizations, local programs and servicescould not exist without the volunteers who spend countlesshours giving o their time and resources. Recent studieshave shown that volunteering not only providespsychological benets to the volunteer; it can providesignicant health benets and may even prolong lie4.In the Atlanta region only a third (35%) o older adultsactively volunteer. Most o this volunteering is done ona part-time basis, with 45% o older adult volunteersreporting that they volunteer intermittently.

In general, volunteering increases with income andeducation, which suggests that the ability to volunteermay be related to an individuals access to transportation

or overall health. At 40%, volunteering is highest amongthe 60-64 age group. Those who make at least $75,000per year and those who have done some post-graduatework are most likely to volunteer. Fulton County has thehighest percentage o volunteers (42%), and FayetteCounty has the second highest at 37%.

The volunteering trends in Atlanta are consistent withnational trends. This means that the Atlanta region is likelyto conront the same challenges that other communitiesacross the country ace as they try to provide meaningulopportunities to engage current and uture retirees. Olderadults have a tremendous amount to contribute to thelocal and regional community, but without intentionalways to channel their resources, society could miss out.In addition, older adults could lose the health benetsthat keeping active and engaged can provide.

4 Adler, Richard, The Volunteer Factor Aging Today Vol. XXV,No. 4 July-August 2004

Sel-reported health status represents an overallassessment o an individuals emotional, physical andpsychological health. Keeping healthy and active isessential or people o all ages, but particularly olderadults. Health status can impact whether individualscan enjoy the retirement they planned, the amount oormal and inormal care they need, their ability tovolunteer or work part-time and the public and privateresources required to support them as they age. Researchhas actually shown that individuals who report theirhealth status as good, very good or excellent havelower rates o mortality5.

The survey asked individuals over 55 to rank their currenthealth status and compare their health today with theirhealth a year ago. Fewer than hal o older adults inthe region said their health was very good or excellentIn general health status decreases with age; the biggestdecrease is between the 65-69 age group and the 70-79 age group: 51% o the 65-69 reported excellentor very good health, but only 39% o the 70-79 agegroup reported the same. Interestingly, the percent oindividuals reporting poor health remains relatively

constant over age groups. This may be the result o thecorrelation between poor health status and mortality,as individuals who report poor health do not live aslong as individuals who report good or better health.

5 Idler EL, Benyamini, Y. Sel-reported health and mortality: A review otwenty-seven community studies. Journal o Health and Human Behavior38:21-37, 1997.

Civic Engagement

Volunteering by Education and Income

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

High School Diploma or Less

Some College

College Degree

Post Grad Work


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The higher an individuals income or education, the morelikely he or she was to report excellent health only5% o those with an annual income less than $20,000elt they were in excellent health, compared with 37%o those with an annual income over $100,000. Forthose with less than a high school diploma, only 10%elt their health was excellent, compared with 35% othose who had done post-graduate work.

While the sel-reported health status in most counties isconsistent with national trends6, because o the highcosts o chronic health conditions and the need tounderstand uture health demand, the health prole olocal residents can provide critical inormation. DeKalb(52.8%), Fulton (50.5%) and Fayette (49.4%) countieshave the highest percentages o older adults reportingexcellent or very good health. Cobb (2.9%) andRockdale (4.9%) counties had the lowest percentage oindividuals reporting poor health.

6 Older Americans: Key Indictors o Well Being 2006 Update FederalInteragency Forum on Aging; Indicator #20

67% o older adults elt their health was the same aslast year, but 13% elt their health was worse now thanit had been a year ago. 19% o individuals over theage o 80 reported that their health was worse or muchworse than it was a year ago. This is the largest per-centage o those reporting a decline in health status.Change in health status is also related to income. 22%o individuals with annual incomes less than $20,000experienced a negative change in their health status overthe last year, and only 60% said their health did notchange. Within the highest income group ($100,000+per year), 76% said their health stayed the same overthe last year, while it worsened or just 6%

The vast majority o the 55+ population (85%) elt theywere in excellent, very good or good emotional healthThis was consistent across age groups, education levelsand income groups. While a relatively low percentageo older adults reported poor emotional health (3%),these individuals can have a signicant impact on thehealth system. Individuals who report depressive

symptoms are more likely to have physical impairmentsand have much higher rates o healthcare utilization7.Two sub-groups had much higher percentages o olderadults with poor emotional health: older adults livingin Douglas County (9%) and older adults with incomesbelow $20,000/year (11%).

7 Ibid.; Indicator #18

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


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The amount o annual income spent on healthcareexpenses rises dramatically with age. On average,45-54 year olds spend $3,000 on healthcare eachyear. In comparison, an individual over the age o 85will spend more than $20,0008 annually. Withhealthcare costs increasing or all age groups, stayinghealthier does not just aect an individuals quality olie; it can have signicant implications on a amilysoverall economic security. While most medicalproessionals and individuals understand the need orpreventive healthcare, a surprising number o olderindividuals do not take simple actions that can have alarge impact on their health. These include fu shots,pneumonia shots and regular colorectal screenings.

The survey ound that almost all older adults are practicingsome preventive healthcare. Signicant numbers o olderadults are regularly checking their blood pressure (95%)and cholesterol levels (84%). A majority o older menhave had a prostate exam (88%). A large majority oolder women have had both mammograms (93%) andpap tests (93%) but only 66% had a mammogram andonly 53% had a pap test in the last year. Signicantnumbers o older adults have not had a fu shot in the last12 months (56%), only 42% have ever had a pneumoniavaccination. Only 25% o the 55+ population had acolorectal cancer screening in the last two years.

The ability to access preventive healthcare services iscritical to increasing the number o older adults whoavail themselves o basic services like annual fu shots

8 Keehan, S. Lazenby, H. Zezza M, and Catlin, A., Age Estimates inthe National Health Accounts, Health Care Financing Review, Webexclusive, December 2, 2004

and screenings. Recent collaborations between thepublic health and the aging network across the Atlantaregion have demonstrated that when these systemsjoin together, it is much easier or older adults to gethealthy and stay healthy.

With age the eects o all our habits, both the good andthe bad, become apparent. Older adults who havebeen active throughout their lives are ar more likely tobe active as they age. Physical activity can improvesymptoms o depression, reduce risk actors or chronicdiseases and or even some o the railest older adults,physical activity can improve unctioning and mobility.

The vast majority o older adults in the Atlanta regionexercise at least 1-2 times a week. Physical activityremains relatively constant over dierent age groups.

Virtually the same percentage o individuals age 55-79 (between 55% and 58%) exercise at least 3 timesa week. This suggests that once exercise becomes a paro an individuals weekly routine, it remains a steadycomponent despite age. Most o the correlations betweenincome and education and physical activity mirror thosebetween income and education and health. Individualswith higher incomes and higher education levels aremore likely to exercise regularly than those who havelower incomes and lower levels o education.

Preventive Health

Blood Pressure Checked(in past 12 months)

Cholesterol Checked(in past 12 months)

Flu Shot(in past 12 months)

Pneumonia Shot

Mammogram(in past 12 months)

Pap Test(in past 12 months)

Prostate Exam

Colorectal Cancer Screening(in past 12 months)

No Yes 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Preventive Healthcare

Physical Activity


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Whether or not an individual regularly engages in

physical activity is based on more than their individualwillingness or motivation. The ability to exercisegreatly depends on access to recreational acilitiesand local conditions including the presence osidewalks and lighting in individual neighborhoods.

Good nutrition is extremely important to older adults.Dietary intake impacts more than body weight, itplays a signicant role in overall health and is a largedeterminant o an individuals likelihood o developinga chronic disease. Access to quality oods atreasonable prices, the challenge o changing lie-longeating habits and increasing railty impact an olderadults ability to eat a healthy diet. The nationalHealthy Eating Index maintained by the CDC showedthat 67% o individuals over the age o 65 needed toimprove their diet and 14% had poor diets9.

In the Atlanta region, only 11% o older adults report

having trouble preparing their own meals, but thispercentage translates into approximately 44,000persons needing some assistance with this very basicunction. The inability to prepare meals increases withage, as 19% o those over the age o 80 were unable

9 Ibid. Indictor #23

to prepare their own meals. Older adults with lowerincomes were also more likely to have diculty main-taining basic nutrition, as 22% o those with annualincomes less than $20,000 a year are either alwaysor oten unable to prepare their own meals.

While aging services and programs are being rethoughand redesigned to meet the needs o the uture olderadult population, these data certainly indicate that thecore set o services the aging network provides (e.g.home delivered meals) still has a critical place in thischanging environment.

3 or more times a week

56%

1 or 2 times a week

20%

1 or 3 times a month

7%

Less than once a month

6%

Never

11%

Physical Activity of Older Adults

Nutrition

Difculty Preparing Meals by Income

Lessthan$20K

$20K

to

less

than$30K

$30K

to

less

than$50K

$50K

to

less

than$75K

$75K

to

less

than$100K

$100K

ormore

Always 15% 12% 7% 8% 6% 5%

Oten 7% 2% 2% 1% 1%

Seldom 14% 7% 5% 5% 7% 5%

Never 58% 79% 86% 86% 88% 89%

Dont know/

reused5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

0


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The dramatic increases in longevity over the last centurywill allow many more grandparents to become great-grandparents, many more Americans to celebrate their100th birthday and many more couples to mark 50and 60 years together. Technology is advancing andnew devices, medicines and treatments are challengingwhat it looks and eels like to grow old. Increases inlongevity will also increase the need or signicant careand support over longer periods o time. This carecan be very expensive and complicated to understand.Across the country, the vast majority o care is providedby amily members.

Long-term care is a single phrase that describes manydierent systems and services. For individuals struggling

to remain in the community, long-term care can describeeverything rom assistance with yard maintenance tochronic disease management to short term stays in a rehabacility ater an acute health episode, like a racturedhip. Long-term care is certainly not synonymous withnursing home care. In act, most older adults expressextreme discomort and deep ear about the prospecto any time spent in a nursing home.

While many older adults and their amilies can describein detail how they do not want to age, a surprisingnumber o individuals have misinormation about basiclong-term care issues and services. The majority (51%)o 55+ Atlantans believe that Medicare will pay orlong-term care or simply do not know who, i anyone,covers these costs. The lack o accurate inormationabout who pays or long-term care is consistent acrossage groups. Men and women are equally ill-inormedabout long-term care costs. As income and educationincrease, an understanding about who pays or long-term care increases, but at least 40% o those withincomes over $75,000 a year and over 45% o thosewith some college education either believed Medicare

pays or long-term care or did not know.

With more and more individuals caring or older lovedones, awareness about the costs and the burdens long-term care can place on a amily has grown. 45% oolder adults are very or somewhat concerned that theywill not be able to pay or long-term care. Concern ishighest among younger, older adults (52% o thoseages 55-59, 46% o those ages 60-64). Older emales(49%), nonwhites (58%) and those with the lowestincomes (65%) are among the most concerned.

Despite the large numbers o older adults concernedabout paying or long-term care, very ew have pur-chased insurance to help cover these costs. Only 21%o older adults in the Atlanta region own long-term careinsurance policies. The percentage o older adults whoown these insurance policies remains constant acrossage groups, so that even as individuals approach thetime during which they might need long-term care, theydo not have insurance to cover it.

In the Atlanta region, white older adults are more

likely to own a long-term care insurance policy (23%compared to 17% non-white). Individuals with highereducation levels were more likely to own long-termcare insurance (14% o those with a high schooldiploma or less; 29% o those with post-graduatework). Individuals with higher income were more likelyto own long-term care insurance (11% o those withincomes


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The greatest thing that most older adults ear aboutaging is losing their independence. In the Atlantaregion, or many older adults, the moment they give upthe keys to the car is the moment they lose theirindependence. Not only are older adults suddenlyunable to get where they need to go when they needto get there, many o their amily members assumesignicant time and resource responsibilities as theytransport their loved one to doctors appointments andon basic errands. Without transportation older adultsbecome increasingly isolated, which or many leads topoor physical and mental health.

Transportation has been and continues to be a challengeor older adults in the Atlanta region. The vast majorityo older adults (88%) use their own vehicle as theirprimary mode o transportation. Only 7% are drivenby others, and barely 4% use public transportation.When asked how they plan to get around when theycan no longer drive, the majority, 57%, plan to be drivenby others, 13% plan to start using public transportationand 21% do not know how they will get around. Itseems almost impossible to rely on amily members toshoulder the uture transportation needs o older adultsThe lack o options and the lack o planning aroundtransportation or older adults at both the individualand community level is cause or signicant concern.

The survey also asked about current transportationchallenges. The oldest, older adults (80+) have the mostrouble getting around (20%), but the youngest olderadults (aged 55-59) still have signicant problems (16%)While the 80+ older adult population reported the mosttrouble getting where they needed to go, the vast majoritydid not have trouble getting to the destinations askedabout on the survey.

Transportation

Own car, 88%

Public transportation

4%

Driven by others

7%

Some other means

1%

Current Transportation Mode

Future Transportation Mode

Dont Know21%

Some othermeans

10%

Drivenby others

56%

Use publicTransportation

13%

Difculty with Transportation by

Destination and Age

Total

55-5

9

years

60-6

4

years

65-6

9

years

70-7

9

years

80+

years

Getting wherethey need to go

15% 16% 14% 12% 14% 20%

Visit riends 9% 6% 16% 13% 8% 4%

Entertainment 8% 4% 15% 8% 7% 5%

Doctorsappointments

7% 6% 10% 12% 6% 4%

Grocery store 5% 2% 7% 11% 6% 0%

Errands(other than

grocery store)6% 2% 7% 7% 8% 4%


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Without a doubt, there are many challenges presentedby the growth in the older adult population. Neverbeore have the region and the nation as a wholeexperienced a demographic shit o this nature. Havingthe right inormation at the right time is the best way toensure that local and state governments, private industry,nonprot organizations and institutions make thedecisions that will have the greatest impact. The resultso this survey provide a community-based perspectiveto the larger, world-wide demographic shit and aplace to begin the local conversation and the localplanning process. Local leaders and citizens o everyage have the opportunity to act now and re-inventhealthcare, transportation, housing, public health anda whole array o community services. By taking small

but intentional steps today, communities throughout theregion will be able to enhance the quality o lie o notonly those over 55, but residents o all ages, and inthe process make Greater Atlanta, Great or a Lietime.

Conclusion

Survey data, county proles and additional graphs and slides can be ound onthe Atlanta Regional Commission website:

www.atlantaregional.com/aging


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Atlanta Regional Commission, Area Agency on Aging

40 Courtland Street, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

www.agewiseconnection.com

Date post:	29-May-2018
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Ag Aging Survey 5-1-08

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