Senior citizens are happiest living in these US states, study says
Particularly for seniors, it's important to settle down in a location that promotes happiness.
Older adults face a higher risk of mental health problems due to circumstances like the loss of loved ones, loneliness, chronic illness or disability, medications, changes brought on by retirement and other stressors, according to the National Council on Aging.
Caring.com, a senior care resource, recently released its Senior Happiness Index, revealing where in the country seniors are happiest based on WalletHub's state happiness roundup.
Experts analyzed various factors like happiness levels per state, cost of living, average life expectancy, health rates in residents over 60 and the number of senior centers per state.
Below are the results for the top 10 happiest states for seniors.
Utah Idaho Connecticut Delaware Nebraska Hawaii New Hampshire Minnesota New Jersey Vermont
4 Factors like happiness levels per state, cost of living, average life expectancy, health rates in residents over 60 and the number of senior centers per state were considered when compiling the top 10 states for seniors to live.
Gordon Fahey – stock.adobe.com
Utah claimed the No. 1 spot for the most content seniors, with a happiness score of 7.69 out of 10.
According to the study, Utah's high rank is due to its 'supportive environment' for senior living, good senior health and the third-lowest percentage (21.48%) of seniors living alone, which reduces the risk of social isolation.
The researchers mentioned that more than two-fifths of seniors in Utah volunteer, which is the highest rate in the U.S.
Volunteering allows the state's aging population to 'stay connected and involved with their community,' Caring.com commented, which 'contributes significantly' to well-being and happiness.
4 According to the study, Utah's rank is due to its 'supportive environment' for senior living, good senior health and the third-lowest percentage of seniors living alone.
Jason – stock.adobe.com
Idaho followed closely behind, with an overall happiness score of 7.38 out of 10.
Less than a quarter of seniors in Idaho live alone, the second-lowest rate in the country, and the state ranks in the top five for senior centers.
'Known for its stunning natural landscapes, Idaho offers seniors plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, promoting both physical and mental well-being,' Caring.com added.
Connecticut and Delaware tied for No. 3, scoring a 7.01 out of 10 on the happiness scale.
Connecticut has the third-highest average life expectancy and is among the top 10 states for overall health.
4 Idaho has an overall happiness score of 7.38 out of 10.
Jeremy – stock.adobe.com
Only 7.2% of Connecticut residents lack health insurance, which ensures access to necessary medical services for the aging population.
Connecticut also offers a variety of discounted cultural and immersive experiences for seniors, such as museums, parks, libraries and arts events.
According to Caring.com, Delaware is regarded as one of the 'happiest and most supportive states for later life.'
The state ranks in the top 10 for overall senior health and happiness, and in the top five for the lowest percentage of people living alone.
4 Only 7.2% of Connecticut residents lack health insurance, ensuring access to necessary medical services for seniors.
travelview – stock.adobe.com
Caring.com considered Delaware's cost of living index 'relatively affordable,' which can help residents maintain a 'comfortable and independent lifestyle.'
Other states stood out in these categories, including North Dakota for the most senior centers per 100,000 population and West Virginia for the most affordable cost of living.
Hawaii has the lowest percentage of seniors over 65 years old living alone, the highest average life expectancy and the highest senior state of happiness.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Epoch Times
2 days ago
- Epoch Times
Mounting Debt Taking a Toll on Health, Nearly Half of Americans Say
A new report from WalletHub finds that 55 percent of Americans believe they'll be stuck in debt for the rest of their lives. Nearly half—47 percent—say mounting debt is affecting their health, and 44 percent expect their household debt to increase over the next 12 months. The online survey questioned 200 people of both genders with various ages and incomes across the nation.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
The Best and Worst States To Have a Baby in 2025
WalletHub looked at 31 key measures of cost and health care accessibility to put together the list. Fact checked by Sarah Scott Welcoming a baby is supposed to be a joyous time. For many obvious reasons, it is. But there are certain stressors that come with becoming a parent, or even adding to your family. A big one is the cost. And that can vary greatly depending on where your family lives. Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care costs can average a total of $18,865, with out-of-pocket payments coming out to an average of $2,854, according to Health System Tracker, an online hub monitoring the U.S. health system. That's just for people in large group plans. Factor in unforeseen childbirth complications, rising child care costs, and no mandated federal paid parental leave in the country, and costs can quickly become a burden. A new report from personal finance company WalletHub looks at where families may be feeling it the most, by rating the best and worst places in the U.S. to have a baby. To come to its findings, the company examined 31 key measures of cost and health care accessibility, while also taking baby- and family-friendliness into account. 'The best states for having a baby minimize costs while providing top-notch care for both newborns and their mothers,' Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, says in a statement. 'They also continue to be good environments for parents even long after the birth, with high-quality pediatric care, affordable and accessible child care, and a strong economic environment that makes providing for a child easier.' Best States To Have a Baby WalletHub looked at several factors such as delivery charges, annual infant care costs, infant and maternal mortality rates, number of physicians accessible, and child care costs. Massachusetts, which recently also ranked the best state to raise a family, topped this list for having the third-lowest infant mortality rate and eighth-lowest for maternal mortality. It has the best neonatal hospitals in the nation, while also offering the best leave policies. Further, the state has the sixth-lowest households with kids with food insecurity, and the second-highest number of kids under 3 with all seven recommended vaccines. Here is the full list of the top 10. Massachusetts North Dakota Minnesota New Hampshire Maine Rhode Island Vermont Washington Iowa District of Columbia Worst States To Have a Baby Mississippi Alabama Nevada South Carolina Georgia New Mexico Arkansas Florida Oklahoma West Virginia While it can feel discouraging if you live in a state that ranks on the lower side, it can be helpful to prepare for childbirth costs as much as possible. If you have insurance, stay with in-network providers and make sure to find out what your insurance company covers and what it doesn't. If you don't have health insurance, the Department of Health and Human Services can help you find reduced prenatal care. Always ask your health care provider any questions you have, even when it comes to tests they recommend. They may be able to offer options to manage and reduce costs, too. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Buzz Feed
RFK Jr. Cuts mRNA Vaccine Funding
I'm not sure if you've heard, but everyone's least favorite Health and Human Services Secretary, RFK Jr., recently announced that he's cancelling $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development. mRNA vaccines, which stand for messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA), are "highly effective" and "safe," according to the National Council on Aging, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of older adults in the US. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the mRNA vaccine helps teach your body to fight infectious diseases. More specifically, mRNA technology is utilized in the COVID-19 vaccine, which infectious disease experts say is what helped to slow the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in the US. According to CBS News, RFK Jr. reiterated that "HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them." In response to the news, Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, recently said, "I don't think I've seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business." Following these vaccine funding cuts, millions have expressed deep concern for the future of medicine, as well as the impact of future pandemics in the US. Here's how medical professionals, lawmakers, and citizens are reacting: Commonly, people threw some personal digs at RFK Jr., with one person calling him a "despicable quack." ...and a pediatric MD calling him an "anti-vaxx weirdo." While other medical professionals directly contradicted RFK Jr.'s claims about the mRNA vaccine, calling them "simply false." And called out RFK Jr.'s "fundamental misunderstanding of immunology." Another infectious disease doctor argued that RFK Jr.'s decision came from "ideology" and "online anti vax talking points." And this medical professional and health writer called mRNA vaccines "one of the most important tools we have for preventing future pandemics." Another person expressed their anger about "throwing away" years of research: Even politicians have weighed in, with Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock calling the funding cuts a "tragedy." "Whatever your reason for not voting or voting 3rd party, I promise it wasn't worth destroying our country over," this person wrote. And this person made a scary observation, writing: "A diseased population is easier to control..." And finally, this Reddit user summed up what many are feeling: "Imagine being so privileged to have lived in a tiny slice of human history when MILLIONS of people have been spared from pyrogens at the hands of vaccines……only to be somehow convinced the answer to the threat humanity faces going forward is to stop researching the most proven and effective medicine mankind has ever known." What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
