A new survey of adults found that although the majority of the population would welcome having a parent live with them if the parent needed assistance, most people do not want to live with younger relatives when they can no longer live on their own.
The survey was conducted as a part of Pfizer’s Get Old initiative, which aims to enhance dialogue around individuals’ perceptions of aging in America. Among the findings, researchers reported that 53 percent of Americans aged 35 to 64 would invite a parent or guardian to live with them when the parent could no longer live on their own. 43 percent of those over 65 were willing to do the same. Despite the willingness of family members to take care of their loved ones, only 31 percent of the overall population would consider living with a younger relative if they could no longer live alone. This number was even lower for those over the age of 65. Only a 25 percent of seniors were willing to move in with a younger relative if they could no longer live by themselves.
Researchers also found that people were more likely to say they were optimistic about aging than uneasy, angry, or prepared. The majority of respondents agreed that being old was something to be proud of, that quality of life for seniors is better than it has ever been, and that they personally will age well. Despite their optimism, many still had fears. Respondents worried most about living with pain and physical limitations (25 percent), becoming dependent (19 percent), and being alone (15 percent) as they age.
Read more about the report: Aging and Quality of Life, by Gallup & Robinson Inc. in collaboration with Pfizer.
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