Majority of Seniors Report More Time Alone, But Significant Uptake of Technology.
Findings released today from a new
The national poll of 1,003 seniors aged 64+ was conducted in partnership with Kelton Global.
When it comes to seniors' personal health, the social and mental aspects have taken the biggest toll from the pandemic, with one-in-two (51%) seniors reporting that they spend more time alone and 43% indicating that they spend less time doing the things that bring them joy. Senior women are more likely than their male counterparts to report that they feel sad more often (26% v. 15%) and feel less independent than ever before (21% v. 13%). Despite these feelings, when asked if they had met virtually with a mental health specialist during the pandemic, only 3% of seniors indicated that they had done so.
Seniors' physical health has also been negatively impacted, with one-in-two (52%) seniors reporting that their physical activity level has decreased since
Despite preconceived notions that seniors tend to shy away from technology, such as telehealth and video meeting tools, the poll revealed the opposite: more than four-in-five (84%) seniors used technology to manage their health and wellness during the pandemic. Among them, one-in-three used telehealth to meet with their doctor during the pandemic.
'While we have known about the acute effects the pandemic has had on our nations' seniors, this new data sheds light on many of the long-lasting effects that will impact how they live their lives going forward,' said
The Pandemic's Effects on Seniors' Values & Priorities
The pandemic appears to have underscored the preciousness of time and the need to focus on what's most meaningful. For many seniors, that includes family, friends, travel and getting vaccinated:
75% value spending more time in person with family and friends than before the pandemic.
67% say doing things they value and bring them joy will be at the top of their list following the pandemic.
53% plan to prioritize travel at the end of the pandemic.
The pandemic also exposed social and economic inequities that have changed the way many seniors view the companies with which they do business. That's especially true for Black seniors, with 42% preferring to give their business to companies that address issues of social equity and equality, compared to 19% of white seniors. Additionally, many more Black seniors than white seniors prefer to give their business to companies that positively impact their community's health (40% vs 27%) and also consider a company's values in purchase decisions (33% vs 24%).
'Whether it's through investments that increase the supply of affordable housing, shoring up access to nutritious food, mitigating loneliness or addressing the digital divide, we are committed to closing health equity gaps, including those that affect too many of our nation's seniors,' said
The Pandemic's Effects on Choosing a Health Plan
When it comes to choosing a health plan, 69% of seniors indicated that their top concern is ensuring a plan has adequate coverage for all their healthcare needs; 67% of seniors said that having access to all their healthcare providers was key in choosing a plan; and 64% stated that low, out-of-pocket costs were a factor in choosing their plan.
And, while 46% of seniors indicated that they would pay closer attention to what is covered in their 2022 health plan, 59% of Black seniors said they would do so.
For information about Humana's 2022 Medicare offerings, visit www.Humana.com/Medicareopens new window or call toll-free 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711). Licensed sales agents are available
About the Survey
This survey was fielded among 1,003 people aged 64+ in
About Humana
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