Indiana Ranked Among Worst States for Active Aging
A new study has shed light on some concerning news for Indiana’s older residents, particularly those hoping to maintain an active lifestyle. According to the research, Indiana is not keeping pace with other states when it comes to supporting seniors who want to stay physically engaged and healthy.
The findings came from Seniorly, an online platform that specializes in senior living resources. Their study relied on federal data, including numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the U.S. Census Bureau. After analyzing all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Indiana landed in the bottom tier, ranked as the ninth worst state for older adults seeking an active lifestyle.
Several factors were measured in the study, such as rates of physical activity, health outcomes, life expectancy, and access to recreational facilities like gyms, golf courses, and parks. Indiana’s ranking suffered largely because of two troubling statistics. First, the state has one of the highest percentages of physically inactive seniors. In fact, 36% of Hoosiers aged 65 and older reported engaging in no leisure-time physical activity at all. That placed Indiana 44th in the nation for senior activity levels.
Also Read:- Farage’s Immigration Plan Sparks Backlash
- Collingwood farewells Oleg Markov and three teammates after finals exit
Second, the state’s life expectancy after age 65 is lower than most of the country. On average, older Hoosiers are expected to live only 17.3 more years, a figure that placed Indiana 41st nationwide. These numbers highlight how inactivity and health challenges are affecting seniors in the state.
The study also found that the physical environment contributes to these outcomes. Access to fitness facilities is limited. Indiana ranked 43rd, with just 63 gyms or fitness centers available per 100,000 older residents. Parks, which can play a crucial role in encouraging walking and social activity, are also not widely accessible. Only about 42% of Indiana’s population lives within half a mile of a park, putting the state at 37th in this category.
When compared to the top performers, the contrast is striking. Colorado was rated the best state for active older adults, with high availability of fitness options and one of the lowest rates of senior inactivity in the nation. On the other end, West Virginia was ranked worst overall, struggling with poor health outcomes and limited access to recreational spaces.
While Indiana’s results are far from encouraging, they provide a clearer picture of the challenges facing the state’s older residents. These findings may spark discussions about what can be done to improve access to parks, fitness facilities, and wellness opportunities for seniors. With an aging population, the importance of creating supportive, healthy environments cannot be overlooked.
For now, the study serves as both a wake-up call and a chance to rethink how Indiana invests in the wellbeing of its older citizens. The message is simple: staying active matters, but the right resources and environments must be in place to make that possible.
Read More:
0 Comments