A growing majority of Americans believe their communities are falling short in providing the necessary health and social services for older adults to live independently, according to a new survey from West Health and Gallup.
The study, which found that 60% of respondents believe that more needs to be done to ensure that older adults can age in place, signals increasing pressure on nursing home and senior living operators to address the growing needs of an aging population.
The survey revealed that 65% of respondents — 37% of whom “strongly agree” — highlight the need for better housing options to support independent living. This concern is particularly acute among women (72%) and low-income households, where 73% report that current housing options for older adults are inadequate.
Mental and physical health services are another area where gaps are evident. Although about one in five (22%) report a significant need for accessible mental health services, only 16% said they feel the same about physical health services.
Moreover, a striking difference exists in perceived access: 32% say physical health services are “very easy” to obtain in their community, but only 16% feel the same about mental health services. Notably, women are almost twice as likely as men to highlight a major need for mental health support (28% vs. 16%).
The findings arrive at a pivotal moment, as the United States prepares for a major demographic shift. By 2030, the Census Bureau projects, Americans aged 65 or more years will outnumber those under 18 for the first time, with older adults making up almost 21% of the population. This rebalancing will put unprecedented demand on housing, healthcare and social services — a challenge that senior living and care operators likely will have to address through strategic planning, capital investments and expanded service offerings.
In response to this demographic shift, Congress has mandated the development of a national strategy for promoting healthy aging and creating age-friendly communities. This initiative, led by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging, includes key partners such as West Health, the John A. Hartford Foundation and the SCAN Foundation. Senior living and nursing home operators are likely to play an essential role in shaping and implementing these recommendations, as they will need to adjust their offerings to meet new regulatory requirements and changing resident expectations.
The West Health-Gallup survey of 2,180 adults was conducted in June.
