New National Survey Shows that Seniors' Desire to Improve Health Doesn't Fade with Age

DENVER, Feb. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- It's never too late to be healthy, according to results from a new national survey released by Welltok, Inc., developer of the CaféWell Health Optimization Platform™. Welltok's Senior Health and Technology Survey, conducted online in September 2015 by Harris Poll, finds a vast majority of seniors are eager and willing to improve their health. The survey provides insights from Americans ages 65 years and older about their health goals and motivations, and how to best engage them in health improvement programs and behaviors.

"These results confirm that seniors, just like any other age group, want to live healthier and longer, but they are not feeling empowered to do so by the healthcare system," said Michelle Snyder, chief marketing officer for Welltok. "There is a real opportunity to better understand this population at an individual level and drive real change by connecting them with the right guidance, resources and incentives, in the right way."

Notable highlights from Welltok's Senior Health and Technology Survey include:

• Seniors care about how they look and feel. Nearly all seniors have a health goal (92 percent), including losing weight, increasing energy level and improving their physical physique, among others. Nearly one third (32 percent) want information on how to live a healthier lifestyle (e.g., nutrition and weight management).
• Seniors are a tech savvy generation (but aren't sporting wearables). Over 80 percent of seniors say technology is part of their daily life, and more than half (56 percent) say they would use a health program accessible on a mobile device or computer if it was recommended by a doctor or caregiver. However, very few have embraced the wearable device movement with only 6 percent currently using a tracking device.
• Seniors need help decoding Medicare. Nearly two in five (39 percent) seniors are interested in information about healthcare insurance and benefits.
• Advice to younger generations: take care of your health today. Seven in ten seniors state that knowing what they now know about their health, they would have made healthier choices when they were younger.
• Grandma wants a gift card. Seniors are motivated intrinsically to meet their health goals, with the desire to live a better life (71 percent), feel less pain (62 percent) and live independently (39 percent). Of seniors with room for improvement in their health status, 38 percent indicate that external motivators, such as gift cards and other financial rewards, would incentivize them to engage in healthier behaviors.

"This study's findings highlight how open seniors are to using technology in healthcare to have more control and information to support their daily activities. The innovations coming to market allow us to better track our health and well-being, which will lead to greater independence and quality of life as we age, while also providing peace of mind to our caregivers and loved ones," said Steve Ewell, executive director of the Consumer Technology Association Foundation.

To see the full survey and hear expert commentary on the results, register for the free webinar Grandma Still Has Her Groove: Welltok's Seniors Health and Technology Survey on Thursday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Welltok from September 2-4, 2015 among 357 adults ages 65 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact [email protected]

About Welltok

Welltok Inc., developer of the healthcare industry's first consumer enterprise platform, is transforming the way population health managers guide and incentivize consumers to optimize their health. The CaféWell Health Optimization Platform organizes the growing spectrum of health improvement and condition management resources, obtains unparalleled consumer insights through applied analytics, and leverages cognitive computing to create personalized, adaptive health itineraries. Health plans and other sponsors now have an efficient and effective way to engage, activate and reward consumers, which drives greater healthcare value across all types of populations, from kids to seniors. Follow Welltok on Twitter @Welltok.

Media Contact:

Welltok
Erica Sniad Morgenstern
720.390.6373
[email protected]

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SOURCE Welltok, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.welltok.com