Few factors bear as heavily on the well-being of any state’s citizens as their overall quality of health. Okinawa, a Japanese island region, is known to have the highest concentration of centenarians (people aged 100 or older) in the world. In several states, seniors are an overwhelmingly healthy lot, with at least 80 percent of those aged 65 and older rating their health "good" or better. The Importance of Tech Education for Older Adults Seniors can face barriers to using technology, but the pandemic has pushed many to harness it for their health. The 65.8 of "quality" nursing-home beds is second in the country, and the 97% of seniors who have a dedicated health care provider is first. Overall, the Okinawan diet is a low-calorie, high-carbohydrate diet with medium consumption of protein and very little meat, refined grains, sugar and dairy. Why it’s Healthy: Italian eat a Mediterranean diet that is rich … These qualities are consistent with what we known to be a dietary pattern that encourages health and longevity.”. Depression disproportionately affects older Americans, and research suggests it's particularly common among those with chronic health conditions. One study found that adults between ages 52 and 75 built muscle best if they ate 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily – or double the Institute of Health… New Hampshire took the top spot in this category, a trend that might contribute to recent interest in the state as a retirement destination. While Northern states tended to boast relatively strong numbers, states with low rates of well-being among older Americans were concentrated in the South. Stacker ranked the states measuring the health of its seniors, as calculated by America’s Health Rankings’ 2019 Senior Report. Yet for seniors pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle, there's also much reason for hope. Coming in at Number 10 on the list is another Alabama city—Montgomery. But … Dietitian Shelley Maniscalco, president of the consultancy Nutrition on Demand, says the diet has many strengths. Time to learn telemed. Three additional Asian nations were among the top 10 in 2019: South Korea (second place), Japan (third), and Thailand (sixth). Keep reading to find out. Iceland. When older Americans can talk openly about their difficulties and collaborate with loved ones to produce solutions, their chances of achieving happy living are far better – whichever health challenges they face. Get the latest public health information from CDC » … Americans also consume higher amounts of calories than Okinawans who honor a tradition to stop eating when they are 80 percent full. Skip to main content Español. Our findings suggest broad improvement in the well-being of older Americans nationwide, as well as areas in which senior health remains a troubling concern. Some factors are clearly integral to keeping seniors healthy, such as rates of obesity mentioned above (Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and Colorado are top ranked on this measure). Arthritis was also less common in states such as Hawaii and California, with more than half of seniors reporting they had no arthritis. x COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Colorado and Utah earned second and third place respectively, followed by Minnesota. "In 2013 the United Health Foundation ranked Minnesota as the healthiest state for seniors." Irvine. Nebraska came in as the fifth-healthiest state for seniors in part by ranking in the top 14 for environment, community well-being and cost of living. © 2019 NewsmaxHealth. “It’s high in fruits and vegetables which we know confer many health benefits—likely more than we even know at this time,” she says. Several of these top-ranked states boast enviable health statistics for all age groups, so the well-being of their seniors could result from long-standing cultural norms related to healthy habits. In other words, seniors may already possess the keys to healthy aging, although they may not know it. This lower calorie intake not only leads to their consistently lower Body Mass Index or BMI, but also to their remarkable health and long life spans. Nearly 6 in 10 adults aged 65 and older have hypertension, almost half have high cholesterol, and more than a quarter have been diagnosed with diabetes. The most active locations for seniors were concentrated in the West (Colorado, Washington, and Oregon claimed the top three spots), but Washington, D.C., also ranked well. Whether you're a baby boomer or millennial, we can all agree that giving proper credit is important. The United States ranked 64th. Longevity Secrets of the World’s Healthiest Seniors [ad_1] Okinawa is a group of islands just south of mainland Japan and is known as “the land of immortals.” Residents not only have one of the longest lifespans and number of centenarians in the world, two-thirds of those who live to be 100 are still living independently at the age of 97. Several of these top-ranked states boast enviable health statisticsfor all age groups, so the well-being of their seniors could result from long-stan… Physical activity is a healthy choice at any age, but its benefits are particularly pronounced for seniors, ranging from lower rates of chronic illness to improved mood and memory. As the world continues to fight the coronavirus in the new year, many people are making their own health a priority. Grapefruit is one of the healthiest citrus fruits. WHO’s response . In accordance with a recent World Health Resolution (67/13), a comprehensive Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health is being developed by WHO in consultation with Member States and other partners. These include resilience in the face of change and strong interpersonal bonds – traits that make life more enjoyable and meaningful at any age. In several states, seniors are an overwhelmingly healthy lot, with at least 80 percent of those aged 65 and older rating their health "good" or better. We collected public data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a "system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services." On the flip side, the typical American diet contains too much saturated fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt. All rights reserved. The United States may not be the best place to be a senior citizen. Age 50 or older? In this project, we studied the health of seniors in each state, using data sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It’s high in plant protein, contains seafood and is rich in greens. The Strategy and Action Plan draws on the evidence of the World report on ageing and health and builds on existing activities to address 5 priority areas for action. © Copyright 2021 SeniorLiving.org a Centerfield Media Company, recent interest in the state as a retirement destination, rates of obesity and diabetes have recently spiked, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Hawaii is the healthiest state for seniors in the U.S., according to a 2019 health rankings report by United Health Foundation. This ranking of states is based on the health of their seniors, across a range of measures, from obesity to excessive drinking to smoking habits and rates of poverty. And while these older Americans are living longer than ever before, their longevity puts them on a collision course with chronic illness. It also lacks fiber. Besides being a good source of vitamins and minerals, it is known for its ability to aid weight loss and reduce insulin resistance. Their lifestyle plan also includes the occasional glass of locally brewed brandy and plenty of physical activity. Due to a smaller population, Iceland is one of the least polluted countries in the world. Hawaii tops the list as the state with the healthiest seniors, while Mississippi is last, facing challenges of poverty and early deaths. Although our results indicate significant variation in health outcomes by state, no statistic can keep seniors from making healthy choices for themselves. This magic juice provides relief … Okinawans, according to studies, also have low rates of heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. Additionally, rates of obesity and diabetes have recently spiked throughout much of the region, likely contributing to poor health among seniors. If you're concerned about the health of an aging loved one, or worried about protecting your own well-being as you grow older, activity and engagement with others should be top priorities. The 15 Most Common Health Concerns for Seniors. And while aging presents new and difficult challenges, many of the characteristics associated with positive health outcomes are strengths we develop earlier in life. But other states, such as Rhode Island, seemed to make great strides in just a few years, improving about 13 percent between 2011 and 2016. It would cost a senior an estimated $33,219 to live comfortably in retirement in this Southern city. Search Term Field. With high volunteerism, a strong local economy, incredible parks and of course the Mayo Clinic, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the nation’s top medical center, just a short drive away, the Twin Cities have won the best place for aging well in the United States. #2 Healthiest Places to Live in America. When you do, we simply ask that you provide a link back to this page to attribute us appropriately. “In other words, someone trying to follow the Okinawan diet may have a hard time finding the plentiful fish and native vegetables in a landlocked state, but can generally adapt the principles of a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables and lean protein.”. The illness is painful in its own right but can also lead to more serious health problems, including those that may require surgery. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum's 2013 Human Capital Report, Switzerland invests more in the health, education and talent of its people than any other country in the world. Italy. Six of the top 10 nations are in Europe. The number of individuals aged 65 and older is projected to double in the coming decades, reaching over 98 million by 2060. Indeed, our data suggest a general correlation between seniors' health and their physical activity by state. According to an article published in the Huffington Post, researchers now believe that their fountain of youth is linked to their diet. Visitor: I really enjoy … Okinawa is a group of islands just south of mainland Japan and is known as “the land of immortals.” Residents not only have one of the longest lifespans and number of centenarians in the world, two-thirds of those who live to be 100 are still living independently at the age of 97. Nebraska was also boosted by ranking: 5th among states with the lowest percentage of residents 65 and over with mental health distress, at just 5%. In that study, published in the international medical journal The Lancet, Spain also ranked first, with a projected life expectancy of 85.8 years by 2040. Reuters.com brings you the latest news from around the world, covering breaking news in markets, business, politics, entertainment, technology, video and pictures. Colorado and Utah earned second and third place respectively, followed by Minnesota. With more older Americans remaining in the workforce, that result bodes well for the "unretired" in the years to come. It produces hemoglobin which carries oxygen … Taiwan has the best health care systems in the world, that’s according to the 2019 edition of the CEOWORLD magazine Health Care Index, which ranks 89 countries according to factors that contribute to overall health. It’s called hara hachi bu and is a cultural practice which roughly translates to “eat until you are 8 parts full.” Okinawans consume approximately 1,800 to 1,900 calories daily which is several hundred calories less than what is prescribed for the average North American. It has. But an even more fundamental skill may be communication. This tip sheet looks at other innovations in Medicare programs to improve quality and reduce costs; This article from The New York Times looks at health care systems around the world. Life Expectancy: 81.95 (2013 EST.) Determining which milk is healthiest is a complex question, because the answer will vary between different individuals, agrees Lisa Garcia, a registered dietitian based in Laconia, New Hampshire. Iron plays a vital role in the body. Cranberry Juice. Hawaii tops the list as the state with the healthiest seniors, while Mississippi is last, facing challenges of poverty and early deaths. By being aware of these common chronic conditions, … In the interactive map above, we give you the chance to explore which states are ahead of the rest on a range of specific healthy behaviors. Here are predictions for what a post-vaccine life looks like for older Americans: Medical care. This ranking of states is based on the health of their seniors, across a range of measures, from obesity to excessive drinking to smoking habits and rates of poverty. It is believed that as a result of their conscious and conscientious eating habits, Okinawans have been able to avoid the choric diseases commonly associated with aging like Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Scientists from the Eat-Lancet Commission say that their traditional diet that consists of vegetables, soy products and seafood is an excellent protocol maximizing human health while minimizing environmental impact. Which states can claim the healthiest seniors? Use this alphabetical list of healthy aging topics to get more information on how to extend the healthy, active years of life. Foods Rich in Iron. City in California. Feel free to share our graphics and data with your own audience for noncommercial purposes. In Birmingham, Alabama, the city has the most affordable housing, health care, and transportation costs. 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