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FOR MANY OVER 50 LIFE IS IMPROVING
By
Dee Taylor
AARP is the nation's largest volunteer organization, and they just recently released their first-ever 'AARP Quality of Life Index" Report for people 50+ in the United States. The report indicated that over the last decade, life for the Baby Boomers and their parents has improved overall. However, as you might suspect there were some striking vulnerabilities.
Seniors 50-64 improved on every economic measure, and older adults (65+) improved on some measures, except their share of income from sources other than social security declined, and their employment rate and self-reported health status' also decreased. The report said that both age groups had recently suffered financial and health care setbacks in the immediate past.
Even so, this new report may give us a quick snapshot of life over 50 in America, and even though life has improved for most of us, there are still serious weaknesses remaining and needs to be addressed overall.
The stock market should have provided more of an income for some of the aging population, but due to the fall of stocks, Social Security still is the main income. Even those 62+ who received a majority of their income from non-Social Security related income- had seen a slight decline over a 10-year period by nearly one percent.
On the financial front, outliving finances is still crucial for most older Americans. Social Security provides, and must continue to provide a secure income base for millions of aging Americans.
Fewer then one-half Americans that are covered by some pension plan- increased nearly 10 percent, from 45.5 to 49.2 percent over the last decade. But what about the other one-half not covered by a pension plan?
For those over the age of 65, more than one-third (38%) does not reach the standard of living even though the median family income rose nearly 12% to $35,800 over the last decade. Poverty still exists for many in fact, according to the " 2003 AARP Quality of Life Report," the percentage of the 50+ populations above 200% of the poverty level improved only 4% points to 71.7%. Of those 50-64 of age, only one in five or (20%) do not reach the minimal standard!
And then there is the health care issue, which holds good, and bad news for all those 50+. 47% reported their health as "excellent" or "very good," which is an increase of 2% from a decade ago. Those individuals in both age groups had made some progress over the decade. But for those between 50-64, nearly 45.5% do not report "excellent" or "good health". It was also reported that for those 65+, by the way, who are in this same "poor" health category- ranked a high of 61.9%.
For those who did some physical activity, that number increased nearly 2% to 25.4%, which is just one-quarter of those 50 and over. Recent figures indicate that 28.9% of younger people reported physical activity, while only 21% of the 65+ populations have no physical activity at all!
What about care giving issues? Nearly half (46%) are providing care to a family member or loved one. 10% of these caregivers are over 50 or older themselves.
According to AARP, much more needs to be accomplished in the areas of economic security and health care issues so that the quality of life for the rapidly aging population continues to improve into this next decade.
Note: "Information provided by "AARP Quality of Life Index Report."
Dee Taylor is a multi-media personality and a television/radio host and producer. You can see "Sizzlin' Seniors programming on Time Warner Cable, Channel 14 at 12pm and 7pm daily or go to website: www.sizzlinsen.org.
Dee Taylor
Executive Producer
"Sizzlin’ Seniors" Television Programming and
Prime time Productions, Inc.
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