Most seniors satisfied




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Most seniors satisfied

By Hanns Pieper

Alameda Times-Star, July 20, 2003

A recent survey conducted by the National Council on the Aging: "2002 -- American Perceptions of Aging in the 21st Century," provides interesting and informative glimpses of how the current generation of seniors feel about themselves and their lives.

So, let's start with the most basic question: "What is old?"

According to the respondents, middle age starts around 50 and we become old around 70 and very old around 80. Men are generally viewed as aging two to three years sooner than women.

The perception of being old is more tied to physical and/or mental decline than having reached a particular birthday. Memory loss, a concern of almost 60 percent of seniors, is the most feared aspect of aging, loosely followed by fears of uncontrollable pain.

Health problems in general are considered "very serious" or "somewhat serious" concerns. Almost as many seniors view crime and money with the same level of concern as health. Loneliness in old age is a concern for 20 percent of them. On the positive side, a smaller percentage of seniors who participated in the current survey view these as problems than did seniors in the 1974 survey.

About half of the most recent respondents consider themselves to be in excellent or very good health. Almost three-fourths of all the seniors and two-thirds in the 75-plus age group report that their health conditions pose no significant limitations.

High blood pressure and arthritis, reported by half the seniors, are the most common health problems. Prostate problems (not cancer) and heart disease were the next most common. Ten percent of the seniors have been diagnosed with depression.

Virtually all seniors think of themselves as being very or somewhat warm and friendly. Most consider themselves open-minded and adaptable. Just under half view the "golden years" as the best of their lives, and the majority have a positive attitude.

Ninety percent look back on their lives with satisfaction, and two-thirds have found the senior years to be better than they expected. Most seniors report that having a close relationship with family and friends, as well as having good health, are the keys to a meaningful and vital life. The majority consider having a rich spiritual life to be important. Even though the seniors have a positive general outlook, they are concerned about their financial situation.