Colorado Ranks 15th Nationally for Safely Aging in Place
In Colorado and across the United States, seniors wait almost three hours in the emergency room per visit, about 43% live alone, and a quarter of older homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing, according to a new Seniorly report.
Colorado Ranks 15th Nationally for Safely Aging in Place
Summary
A new report ranks Colorado as the 15th safest state in the nation for aging in place, tied with Michigan.
A record 4.2 million Americans are expected to reach retirement age this year, and 75% have stated that they want to stay in their homes as they age rather than move into retirement homes or assisted living, according to AARP’s latest data.
Christine Healy, chief growth officer for the senior living technology company Seniorly, which led the report, said Colorado’s low level of precipitation helped push the state to the top of the list.
“If we think about what makes a city walkable or accessible for an older adult, you really want to minimize the level of hazards,” Healy explained. “Dry, safe walkways are great places for older adults.”
Utah, North Dakota, and New Jersey took the top three spots. North Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida rounded out the bottom three. Healy noted generally, the best states for aging in place make it easier to get around, stay healthy, and feel supported. States lagging tend to lack support in critical areas, including healthcare access, home care services, and community-level resources.
The number of people aged 65 and older is projected to grow from 63 million this year to just over 82 million by 2050, a 26% increase. Cost is often considered the most significant factor in retirement planning, and staying at home can be far less expensive than entering a retirement community or a long-term care facility.
Healy believes that aging in place can be beneficial for those who can remain socially engaged and active.
“That’s not always the case,” Healy acknowledged. “A lot of older adults are aging in place on their own, they’re becoming more socially isolated, they’re not leaving the house as much.”
Colorado ranks 12th nationally for both the timeliness of emergency care and the use of innovative technologies in the home. However, the state ranks 42nd nationally in terms of high housing costs and 38th in access to home meal delivery services. Other factors considered in the report include road safety, local walkability, and the quality and availability of home health care.
