Minnesota seniors are generally active
and in good health
In general, older people in Minnesota
are in fairly good health. From the Baby
Boomers to the 85+ people, about half of
all older adults describe their health as
good. However, the proportion who say
their health is excellent decreases
steadily with age.
Older Minnesotans are fairly active.
Overall, more than half (54 percent) of
respondents report that they participate
in vigorous activity for at least 20-30
minutes, two to three times per week.
For those who are in poor health, some
have difficulty getting the medical
services they need. This is a
significantly bigger problem for people
who live alone (14 percent report
difficulties), and those with very low
incomes (18 percent of people with incomes
below $12,000 a year reported barriers to
receiving medical care).
About one in every five older
Minnesotans spent at least one night in a
hospital in 2000. A person's chance of
being hospitalized increases with age.
People aged 55-59 were about half as
likely to need hospitalization as those 85
and older (13 percent and 26 percent
respectively). About 2 percent spent at
least one night in a nursing home in 2000.
