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Features for Senior Citizens
Senior Citizens Fear Nursing Home, Loss of
Independence More than Death
Baby boomers fear aging parents will be mistreated
in nursing homes
 Oct. 25, 2007 - Senior citizens fear moving into a
nursing home and losing their independence more than death, according to
a research study released today that examines the attitudes and
anxieties of the nation’s elderly population. “Aging in Place in
America,” commissioned by Clarity and The EAR Foundation, also found
baby boomers emotionally distraught about their aging parents' future -
82% fear their parents will be mistreated in a nursing home and 89%
worry their parents will be sad.
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Features for Senior Citizens |
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One of the most significant findings of the study
is that, when asked what they fear most, seniors rated loss of
independence (26%) and moving out of home into a nursing home (13%) as
their greatest fears. These two possibilities are a much higher concern
than death, which was the greatest fear for only three percent of
seniors.
For “Aging in Place in America,” two groups were
surveyed to allow a comparative analysis of the attitudes of seniors age
65 and older who are living at home with those of baby boomers who have
senior parents.
Other key findings include:
● Vast majority of senior citizens (89%) want to
age in place – or grow older without having to move from their homes --
and more than half (53%) are concerned about their ability to do so.
● Large majority (82%) of baby boomers fear their
parents will be mistreated in a nursing home and 89% fear they will be
sad.
● Seniors living at home are determined to
maintain their independence; they report that they require – and receive
– limited support from their children or other caregivers.
● Not only are boomers concerned about their
aging parents, almost two-thirds (63%) are providing some kind of help
or support to them.
● Half of seniors are open to using new
technologies to enable independence, including having sensors installed
in their homes to monitor their health.
● Baby boomers have not turned to technology to
assist their aging parents. Only 14% have actually looked for solutions
that would help them ensure the health and safety of their parents.
“These findings tell us that, above all else,
older Americans value their ability to live independently,” said Peter
Bell, president of National Aging in Place Council. “As a society, we
must find ways to help our parents and grandparents live their latter
years at home. We must make aging in place a national priority and a
reality for older Americans.”
Clarity president Carsten Trads said, “Clarity and
The EAR Foundation commissioned this study because we are committed to
finding ways to enhance the quality of life for our aging population.
These findings are both concerning and eye-opening. Independent living
is a key determinant of quality of life for seniors, and we owe it to
them to create solutions that make aging in place effortless and
achievable.”
This is the third in a series of studies since 2003
commissioned by a partnership of Clarity and The EAR Foundation to
better understand the health and lifestyle needs of America’s aging
population.
Seniors Express Desire to Age in Place, Aren’t
Asking For Help
The study found that the vast majority of seniors
(89%) feel the ability to age in place – or live independently and
remain in one’s home – is very important. However, more than half of
those surveyed (53%) are concerned with their ability to do so.
Seniors cited three primary concerns that could
jeopardize their ability to live independently:
● health problems (53%);
● memory problems (26%); and
● inability to drive and/or get around (23%).
They said they do not expect nor do they receive
much support from those around them. The majority of Seniors (55%) view
themselves as very independent in that they receive no assistance from
their children and seem content with that fact. The vast majority (75%)
said their children are involved “enough” in their life.
Seniors who do require help from others receive
assistance with household maintenance (20%), transportation (13%) and
healthcare (8%). Very few (1%) reported receiving any financial
support.
Seniors Open to New Solutions
The study also examined seniors’ attitudes toward
technologies that enable an independent life. Virtually all senior
citizens are comfortable using the telephone while almost half of
Seniors are comfortable using personal computers, Internet and email.
Not surprisingly, seniors’ comfort level with
computer technology decreased in older age groups, particularly those
over 75 years of age.
Furthermore, 65% of seniors said they are open to
or would like to use new technologies that enable independence. More
than half (54%) would consider the use of ambient technology in their
homes – specifically, sensors – to monitor their health and safety.
“Seniors are clearly more open to technology than
many people believe,” said Trads.
“They are very comfortable with familiar devices,
like the telephone, and will even try new technologies, like sensors, if
they help them age in place. We must view technology as a resource for
our aging parents and grandparents, whether that means expanding the
capabilities of familiar technologies, or by introducing new solutions
into the home.”
Boomers Worried About Emotional, Physical
Well-Being of Aging Parents
The study also examined the attitudes of baby
boomers that have at least one living parent to assess their attitudes
and concerns, as compared with the senior citizens.
Baby boomers echoed the Seniors’ desires and
concerns over aging in place and living independently.
The vast majority (94%) feel it is important their
Senior parents are able to age in place. However, more than three
fourths (79%) are concerned about their parents’ ability to do so, and
more than half (57%) are very concerned.
Baby boomers are extremely concerned about their
parents’ well-being if they have to move out of their home.
● 82% fear their parents might be mistreated if
they move into a nursing home.
● 89% worry their parents will be saddened by the loss of their
independence.
● 79% saying they are worried their parents would not like living in
a nursing home.
● 70% are concerned their parents will be scared to move out of their
homes.
“We are all concerned about our parents’ quality
of life as they age; however, this study sheds light on the tremendous
amount of anxiety the Baby Boomer generation, in particular, experiences
regarding this issue,” explained Clarity’s Marketing Communications
Manager, Chris Dutton. “They worry that Mom and Dad will be forced into
a nursing home and their quality of life will deteriorate. They are
contending with worries that their parents will be sad, lonely, scared,
or, even worse, mistreated.”
Their parents’ health is another major issue of
concern for baby boomers, with 77% citing this in the survey. boomers
also said they are worried about the potential for falls/injuries (75%)
and their parents’ ability to drive (58%).
“These are emotionally-charged issues that boomers
and Seniors face every day,” said Dutton. “baby boomers not only have
to worry about their parents, but – as the sandwich generation – they
are raising families of their own, providing support to everyone in
their lives and, in turn, dealing with an increasing amount of stress.”
Consistent with their expressed concern about the
well-being of their parents, the majority of boomers are not concerned
that their parents might someday be a burden to them. More than half
(51%) are not concerned they may have to financially support their
parents and 60% are not concerned their parents might have to move in
with them.
Two in Three boomers Helping Senior Parent
Not only are boomers concerned about their aging
parents, most (63%) are actively involved in providing some kind of help
or assistance. As the sandwich generation, boomers are tasked with
caring for and providing support to both their own children and their
parents; over half of boomers surveyed have children under age 25.
“Boomers are juggling a great deal of
responsibility, raising their children and caring for their parents at
the same time,” said Trads.
“It is important that boomers have help and support
to successfully manage their caregiver role. Outside sources – such as
technology – can help boomers provide the necessary support so their
parents can remain in their homes.”
Household maintenance (40%), transportation (34%),
medical issues (33%), help with financial decisions (28%) and, finally,
financial support (19%) were the most frequent types of support reported
by boomers.
Baby boomers with children are more likely than
those without children to provide non-financial assistance to their
parents, including help with household maintenance, medical issues and
medication, and transportation.
Baby boomers without children are more likely than
those with children to provide financial assistance to their parents,
including making purchasing or financial decisions and providing
financial support.
Boomers Have Not Turned to Technology to Help
Parents
Like senior citizens, baby boomers are open to new
technologies that would help seniors age in place but very few are
actively seeking these products.
Half of baby boomers (49%) are interested in new
technologies that would help them monitor their parents’ safety and
wellbeing.
Half of the baby boomers (51%) also think there are
technology products available aimed at meeting the needs of seniors and
(50%) would be open to the use of ambient technology – specifically,
sensors – to monitor the health and safety of their aging parents.
Contrary to this expressed interest in technology,
only 14% of baby boomers have actually looked for any technology
solutions that would help them ensure the health and safety of their
parents.
“From the iPod to the Blackberry, technology is
such an everyday part of baby boomers’ lives; however they have not yet
realized the potential benefit of technology to help care for their
parents,” said Trads.
“More technology solutions need to be developed to
allow aging in place, so that boomers and other caregivers have more
options when trying to help our aging Americans.”
About “Aging in Place in America”
The research was commissioned by the Clarity/EAR
Foundation strategic alliance, which was formed to educate the public
about the needs of the growing senior population, including hearing loss
and other disabilities. The research was conducted by an independent
research company, Prince Market Research, a member of the Council of
American Survey Research Organizations.
Over 800 seniors and baby boomers were polled. The
research methodology was designed to ensure that the results are
accurate within a margin of error of plus or minus 5% at a 95%
confidence level. To access the full report, visit:
www.clarityproducts.com/research.
About Clarity
Clarity, a Division of Plantronics Inc. (NYSE:PLT),
offers communications solutions to the world’s aging population. A
leading innovator and provider of creative solutions, Clarity’s patented
technologies, Clarity® Power™ and Digital Clarity Power™, provide
customized solutions for customers who otherwise could not communicate
easily and effectively with the outside world. As the world’s
population grows older, Clarity will continue to provide effective
technologies to allow Seniors to age in place and maintain their dignity
and independence. The company began in 1969 as a telecommunications
manufacturer, and was acquired in 1986 by Plantronics, Inc., a leading
provider of headsets to business and individual consumers worldwide. For
more information about Clarity and its products, please call
1-800-426-3738 or visit www.clarityproducts.com.
About Plantronics
In 1969, a Plantronics headset carried the historic
first words from the moon: “That’s one small step for man, one giant
leap for mankind.” Since then, Plantronics has become the headset of
choice for mission-critical applications such as air traffic control,
911 dispatch, and the New York Stock Exchange. Today, this history of
Sound Innovation™ is the basis for every product we build for the
office, contact center, personal mobile, entertainment and residential
markets. The Plantronics family of brands includes Plantronics, Altec
Lansing, Clarity, and Volume Logic. For more information, go to
www.plantronics.com or call (800) 544-4660.
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