Home Instead Senior Care, Birmingham

Greatest Generation Likes Where It Is In Life

Tuesday, February 28, 2012


/PRNewswire/ -- A multigenerational quality of life poll shows that Americans retain a positive outlook despite economic hardships and 76 percent believe "the best is yet to come," and when they think about the quality of their life in the future, many are optimistic.
These results are part of a new GOLD Indicator (Gauging Overall Life Dimensions), the first of an annual survey to assess how Americans view their lives based on the ten indicators of satisfaction – family, neighborhood safety, housing situation, spiritual life, health, friends, work or how days are spent, free time, finances and community involvement. On average, Americans rate their overall quality of life as a 72 on a scale from zero to 100.
Some groups are more satisfied with their lives than others, including America's oldest generation, which gives higher marks than their younger counterparts in 6 out of the 10 GOLD Indicator dimensions, according to the study titled, "Generation to Generation: Gauging the Golden Years," which was conducted for Home Instead Senior Care by the Marist Poll. 
Despite their personal optimism, an overwhelming majority of Americans (74%) think the country is headed the wrong direction, including 76% of Baby Boomers, 79% of the Greatest Generation, 77% of Gen X, and 65% of Millennials.
Americans said that what's good about their lives includes: Family, neighborhood safety, housing, their health and spiritual life.  But weighing on optimism are the lack of community involvementand free time as well as challenges with personal finance.
"We also found that life after 65 doesn't always match expectations," said Paul Hogan, Chairman and Founder of Home Instead Senior Care.
"The data in our GOLD Indicator allows us to understand the expectations of younger generations for what retirement will be like," Hogan said. "We find that it is not always reflected in what older generations say their reality is.  So, do younger generations have unrealistic expectations OR are these, in fact, a window into the future of retirement?"
The results also showed that Americans, particularly those under 65, are woefully unprepared in the event that they can no longer make their own medical decisions or live independently. Roughly half of those who have already reached retirement age, over 20 million seniors, acknowledge they have not completely prepared for a time when they may not be able to live independently.
"There is clearly a need among younger generations of adults for education about what to expect as they age – and more importantly how to prepare for it," said Hogan.
For many, there's one more piece of good news:  While 29% of those under age 65 worry about enjoying an active sex life after age 65, that simple pleasure of life is a reality for 57% of those over 65 years of age.
"Home Instead is in the business of caring for people in the later stages of life," said Hogan, "so it's important for us to understand how they view life. It's also important for us to understand the perceptions of aging that younger generations possess."
For the complete survey results and research methodology, see:http://www.homeinstead.com/News/Pages/Article.aspx?Filter1Field=ID&Filter1Value=85.
For more information on Home Instead Senior Care, visit www.homeinstead.com.
Contact: Dan Wieberg, Home Instead Senior Care402.575.5970dwieberg@homeinsteadinc.com
SOURCE Home Instead Senior Care


To us it's personal

Do you know a Senior Hero making a difference?

Friday, February 24, 2012

Know a senior hero that’s making a difference in your community? Salute that senior’s volunteer efforts by filling out the nomination form below. Nominated Senior Heroes℠ have a chance to become a national Salute to Senior Service℠ winner. Home Instead, Inc. will make a $5,000 donation to each of the national winners’ designated non-profit charity of choice. 
To recognize seniors for the impact they make in their communities by volunteering their time and talents, the Home Instead Senior Care® network is conducting a contest search for the most outstanding senior volunteer in the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec).
Recognize the efforts of a senior hero you know by nominating them for a chance to become a national Salute to Senior Service℠ winner. Home Instead, Inc. will make a $5,000 donation to each of the national Salute to Senior Service winners’ designated non-profit favorite charity of choice. 

Tips for Nominations

When describing your nominee’s volunteer activities and why he or she deserves recognition, be sure to cover the following details:
  1. How did the nominee get involved in volunteering?
  2. What does the nominee enjoy about volunteering?
  3. Who is impacted by the volunteer’s service?
  4. What has the volunteer’s service accomplished?
  5. If you have a story that illustrates your answer to these questions, feel free to share it.

Judges Read All Comments

Judges will evaluate each nomination based on your description of the nominee’s service and all content posted to the nominee’s “wall.”
We encourage you to invite friends and family to add their thoughts, stories and words of praise to further recognize the nominee and increase his or her chances of winning.

Nominee Qualifications

Nominees must be at least 65 years of age, complete at least 15 hours of volunteer service per month, and be a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec). You may nominate yourself.
ENTER HERE!



To us it's personal

Funny, again!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Florence has a wedding to attend, but isn’t interested in buying a new dress like her daughter suggests. Mary explains why she sides with Florence’s daughter, and offers some suggestions on what to do with the old dress.


To us it's personal

Mary does it again!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Mrs. Mary makes us laugh again!


To us it's personal

Encouraging Service in Younger Generations (Salute to Senior Service Part 4 of 4)

Monday, February 20, 2012

Passing the torch of volunteerism to the next generation is an important part of a senior volunteer's legacy. Evidence suggests that volunteerism is passed on from parents to children, and volunteers generally donate their time with a friend or family member. Giving others the opportunity to see how volunteerism can make a difference in people's lives is a great way to encourage younger generations to help their communities.


To us it's personal

Health Benefits of Senior Service (Salute to Senior Service Part 3 of 4)

Friday, February 17, 2012

The benefits of volunteerism are wide and varied. The need to help others and make a positive difference on the volunteers themselves. 97% of senior volunteers feel that they are happier than those who do not volunteer, and volunteers have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life.




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The Importance of Senior Service (Salute to Senior Service Part 2 of 4)

Thursday, February 16, 2012

The number of older Americans who volunteer is staggering, and their service has enormous positive, far-reaching impacts on national quality of life and the economy. This video covers some of the positive statistics about senior volunteerism.


To us it's personal

A Salute to Senior Service (Part 1 of 4)

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Today's seniors are volunteering in big numbers and in big ways. 52% of seniors volunteer their time through unpaid community service, with 87% saying it is either very important or the most important thing they do. They are engaged with churches, schools, hospitals, senior centers, and other non-profits that reach many in need.



To us it's personal