ICYMI: Older Americans Give Florida High Marks for Well-Being

BRADENTON, FL — With its sunshine and beaches there’s no denying Florida is an attractive destination for older Americans, especially those escaping colder climates. Just how those who call the state home fare in the well-being department, however, might be a little worse than many Floridians would expect.

Long known for its bustling senior population and abundance of retirement communities, Florida came in 11th overall in Gallup-Healthways' 2015 State Well-Being Rankings for Older Americans. The survey looked at such factors as finances, health, social life and community to rank states from best to worst.

Gallup’s 2015 survey, released Tuesday, was part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, formulated based on 177,281 interviews conducted across the nation from Jan. 2 to Dec. 30, 2015. For the senior survey, a total of 93,348 Americans, age 55 and older, took part. States were ranked based on five different categories:

• Purpose – This ranking looked at whether people like what they do each day and if they are motivated to achieve goals.
• Social – This ranking involved questions related to respondents’ social lives and if they had supportive relationships and love in their lives.
• Financial – This category looked at respondents’ economic lives.
• Community – This scoring category delved into whether respondents liked where they live, feel safe and have pride in their communities.
• Physical – This category looked at whether respondents enjoyed good health and had the energy necessary to get things done on a daily basis.

Not surprisingly, Florida wasn't the only warm-weather state to score high. Hawaii earned first-place honors with Arizona trailing in second place.

It seems sunshine, however, isn’t the only factor that makes a state a good place for older residents’ well-being. The remainder of the top 10 was rounded out by places known for blistering winters. New Hampshire, for example, came in third place followed by North Dakota in fourth. Alaska scored sixth-place rankings with Minnesota in seventh. South Dakota earned 10th-place honors.

California was ranked in the first half in 24th place. West Virginia came in dead last with Kentucky scoring only marginally better in 49th place.

To check out the full study, visit Gallup-Healthways online.

How do you think Florida rates for seniors? Share your opinions by commenting below!

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