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Study shows nursing homes are one of elderly’s biggest fears

Spectrum News has an article discussing a study that shows elderly citizens to fear nursing homes and loss of independence more than death.

89% of America’s seniors want to age-in-place and are willing to use adaptive technology allowing them to maintain their independence, according to a study commissioned by Clarity and the EAR Foundation. The same study found that their boomer children share the same concerns and are willing to support their parent’s efforts.

In a recent survey, seniors rated loss of independence (26 percent) and moving out of their home into a nursing home (13 percent) as their greatest fears. Death was listed as a fear by only 3 percent of the respondents.

Seniors cited three main threats to their independence. Health problems were the main consideration followed closely by memory problems and the inability to drive.   Most seniors stated an openness to new technologies that help them avoid nursing homes.

The children of seniors, today’s boomers, were also interviewed and their answers echoed the parental desires and concerns over aging in place and living independently.   The vast majority (94 percent) feel that it’s important their senior parents are able to age-in-place. More than three-fourths (79 percent) are concerned about their parents’ ability to do so, and more than half (57 percent) are very concerned.

Despite the boomers’ parents’ belief that they receive no support from their children, 63 percent of the boomers surveyed stated that they are providing some kind of assistance to allow their parents to age-in-place. Much of the assistance reportedly provided by boomers was with household maintenance, transportation, medical issues, help with financial decisions and financial support.

Surprisingly, senior parents appeared to be more open to aging-in-place technology than their boomer children. Only 14 percent of the tech-savvy boomers have actually looked into technological solutions to help them ensure the health and safety of their parents.