In a novel collaboration, AARP and National Geographic teamed up to create the "Second Half of Life Study," a research study in which more than 2,500 people ages 18 to 90+ were asked questions about aging. According to AARP, the results revealed some surprises in that "most prevalent opinions and stereotypes of aging were proven wrong."

Here is a look at some of the findings:

Younger and older generations are generally optimistic about their future.
More than half of those under 40 (57 percent), and those ages 40 - 49 (51 percent) said they were optimistic about their future. Less than half of those ages 50 - 59 (48 percent) and those ages 60 - 69 (44 percent) said they were optimistic about their future. More than half of those ages 70 - 79 (51 percent) said they were optimistic about their future. Less than half of those ages 80-plus (46 percent) said they were optimistic about their future.

Happiness generally grows with age.
34 percent of respondents age 80-plus said they were very happy, compared with 27 percent of those ages 70 - 79. Only 21 percent of those ages 60 - 69 said they were very happy. For those ages 50 - 59, 40 - 49, and under 40, 20 percent or less said they were very happy.

Brain health, independence, and relationships are the top concerns in the second half of life.
At least half of all age groups selected brain health, independence, and relationships as the top concerns in the second half of life. The most significant variance was that relationships become the most important concern of those ages 70 - 79 and an even larger concern of those 80-plus.

People are surprisingly positive about their health, even if they have at least one serious health condition.
At ages 70 - 79 and 80-plus, 49 percent of respondents said they were in excellent or very good health, even though 83 percent of those ages 70 - 79 and 81 percent of those 80-plus had at least one serious health condition. At ages 60 - 69, 44 percent said they were in excellent or very good health, even though 75 percent said they had at least one serious health condition. Still, 57 percent of those across all age groups who said they were in excellent or very good health also said they were extremely or very concerned about their health.

Retirement expectations and reality shift with age.
Percentages of those actually retired grow from 50 percent (ages 50 - 59) to 59.1 percent (ages 60 - 69) to 63.5 percent (ages 70 - 79) to 65 percent (ages 80-plus). That means almost 35 percent of those over the age of 70 have not yet retired. On the other hand, of those not yet retired, 67.7 percent of those ages 60 - 69, 77.6 percent of those ages 70 - 79, and 91 percent of those ages 80-plus expect to retire.

Living "in my own home" is more popular than living in a retirement community at every age.
The percentages of those preferring to live in their own home rather than a retirement community are: Under 40: 58 percent, ages 40 - 49: 66 percent, ages 50 - 59: 65 percent, ages 60 - 69: 56 percent, ages 70 - 79: 50 percent, 80-plus: 43 percent.

For more, download the PDF of the complete survey results here:
https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/surveys_statistics/life-leisure/2022/second-half-life-desires-concerns-report.doi.10.26419-2Fres.00538.001.pdf

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Guest Post by David Clark

As we age, certain things need to be considered to ensure our safety. One of those things is our home. A trip down the stairs can be dangerous, and so can a slippery floor in the bathroom. Hence, the need to prep your home to increase senior home safety.

Following are three dangers seniors can face in their homes and three senior home safety upgrades that are worth investing in.

Top Three Causes of Injuries in the Home

Falls

According to the National Safety Council, “Every year, one out of every three adults age 65 and older will experience a fall.” Falls can happen anywhere in the house, but they are most common in areas where there is a lot of foot traffic, such as the kitchen and bathroom.

There are a number of reasons why seniors are more susceptible to falls. As we age, our bones become more brittle and our muscles weaken. This makes it easy to lose your balance and take a tumble.

Vision Problems

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than half of Americans age 65 and older have some type of vision problem. Common vision problems that can lead to falls include cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.

These conditions make it difficult to see obstacles in your path, which can increase your risk of falling.

Unattended Cooking

Cooking is one of the most common causes of house fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Cooking equipment is involved in almost half of all home structure fires and one-quarter of home fire deaths.” 

Seniors could potentially start cooking fires because they are more likely to use outdated appliances or forget to turn off the stove. They also sometimes live alone, which means they may not have someone to help them if a fire does start.

Upgrades to Invest In

Now that you have a rough idea of what makes a home dangerous for senior living, the next step would be to make senior home safety upgrades to provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.

Bathroom Upgrades 

An essential senior home safety upgrade to consider is upgrading your bathroom. This can include adding grab bars, non-slip flooring, and a raised toilet seat. These upgrades can help prevent falls and make it easier for you to use the bathroom with independence.

Another thing you can do is add a walk-in tub or shower. These can be expensive, but they are worth the investment if you want to age in place safely. Walk-in tubs also have various benefits, such as providing a relaxing environment, helping with pain relief, and improving circulation.

Motion Sensor Lights

Stumbling across a room in the dark can be dangerous, especially if you have mobility issues and vision problems. To help prevent falls, it's a good idea to install motion sensor lights in your home. These lights will turn on automatically when you enter a room, providing you with the light you need to move around safely.

Motion sensor lights are also a great security measure, deterring burglars and giving you peace of mind. Not to mention, they also help you save on your energy bill!

Alarm Systems

Alarm systems can be costly, but they are a necessary senior home safety upgrade. For example, smoke and fire alarms are crucial because during a fire, every second counts. Smoke can travel faster than you can, so having an alarm system in place can help give you and your loved ones the time you need to evacuate safely. These alarms come in handy if you want to prevent fires in the kitchen.

A home security system can also give you peace of mind, knowing that your home is being monitored even when you're not there.

A Final Word

Knowing the basic dangers in a home and being informed of how to avoid them and prevent injury are crucial steps in keeping you and your loved ones safe. These are just a few senior home safety upgrades worth investing in. You can help prevent falls and live a safer, more independent life by making these upgrades. The key to increasing home safety for seniors is to understand the risks and mitigate them with the right precautions and tools.

David Clark is the CEO of Basement Guides with several years of experience in basement-related problems and home safety. He has written and published many resources and guides related to senior home safety, grants, and home modifications. David is currently working to spread the word about senior home safety and health through resourceful guides and articles.

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