OTHER TRENDS

» Alaska (21 percent) has the lowest percentage of seniors with multiple chronic health conditions, followed by Wyoming (22 percent) and Montana (23 percent). The highest percentages are in Florida (44 percent), New Jersey (43 percent) and Delaware (40 percent). » Nationally, 30 percent of seniors in fair or better health report doing no physical activity or exercise other than their regular job in the last 30 days. Inactivity levels range from a low of 20.5 percent of seniors who report being inactive in Colorado and 21.3 percent in California to highs of 41.2 percent in West Virginia and 41.3 percent in Tennessee. » Obesity rates among those ages 50 to 64 increased 8 percent from 1995 to 2010, suggesting that the next generation of seniors will experience higher rates of obesity compared with current seniors. Overall, 25 percent of adults ages 65 and older are considered obese. The prevalence varies from a low of 17 percent in Hawaii and 18 percent in Nevada to highs of 29 percent in Alaska and 30 percent in Michigan. » An average of 9 percent of adults ages 65 and older live at or below recognized poverty thresholds, which is also associated with higher rates of chronic diseases and shorter life expectancy. Rates range from a low of 5 percent in Alaska and 6 percent in Utah to 12 percent in New Mexico and 14 percent in Mississippi. nearly twice as much as those 45 to 64 on health care each year; they spend three to five times more than adults younger than 65, according to CDC.

If not addressed, the increased burden of chronic disease will not only have severe economic consequences but affect older adults’ overall wellbeing, Randall said. “This is a really important time in our nation’s history for us to take a look at this demographic change and the health and behavior outcomes for this population. If we don’t measure it, we won’t know what to do about it.”

The report offers “an important set of messages ... for personal focus, family and community focus, and a heads-up to the providers, and a real headsup to policy makers,” said Jennie Chin Hansen, CEO of the American Geriatrics Society and author of one of several commentaries in the report.

Some of the trends are “very cautionary,” Hansen added. They highlight “that we really do have to be thoughtful, strategic and intentional if we are going to insure that people’s health and well-being is going to be made better. There’s stuff we know, but now there’s stuff we have to do.”

Overall, Minnesota tops the list in senior health, followed by Vermont (2), New Hampshire (3), Massachusetts (4) and Iowa (5).

At the bottom: Mississippi (50), Oklahoma (49), Louisiana (48), West Virginia (47) and Arkansas (46).

Minnesota’s top ranking reflects a combination of factors, including a large number of seniors who report being in very good or excellent health, high rates of creditable drug coverage, relatively high availability of home health care workers, as well as a low rate of seniors at risk of going hungry and a low rate of hospitalization for hip fractures, according to the study.

But it notes challenges for Minnesota, as well, including a high percentage of chronic drinking, a low percentage of senior residents with a dedicated health care provider, and low per-person expenditures by the state to assist older adults in poverty.

In bottom-ranked Mississippi, a high percentage of seniors live in poverty and are at risk of going hungry; there is a high rate of premature death; a low percentage of seniors report very good or excellent health and a low rate report annual dental visits. But Mississippi scored well for a low prevalence of chronic drinking and a high rate of flu vaccination.

The senior population in Mississippi is predicted to grow 46 percent between 2015 and 2030. In Minnesota, the population is expected to grow 54 percent. Arizona tops that category with an expected increase of 101 percent.