Evercare's '100 at 100' survey reveals today's Centenarians share a positive outlook and contentment with their lives…Spirituality cited most frequently as driver of longevity

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Evercare, a leading provider of health plans for frail elderly, disabled and chronically ill individuals in the United States, today announced the results of its "100 at 100" survey, which revealed that America's centenarians are satisfied with the lives they've led, content with their current health and well-being and well prepared for the future.

"Centenarians are the fastest growing segment of the American population. With more than 1,000 of our members at or over the age of 100, it is crucial that Evercare anticipates the needs of these oldest Americans," said Dr. John Mach, CEO of Evercare.

 

Among the key findings of the Evercare "100 at 100" survey:

  * Oldest Americans Have Very Few Regrets. Sixty-one percent of those

    surveyed indicated there was nothing they would have done more of in

    their lives, while 78 percent said there was nothing they would have

    done less of in the past.  However, some surveyed indicated that they

    wish they had traveled more (13%), worked less (9%) or spent more time

    with their families (6%).  In addition, some surveyed said they should

    have spent less time sitting around doing nothing (3%), exercised more,

    saved more money or pursued more education (each at 2%).

  * Spirituality Cited Most Frequently as Driver of Longevity. Those

    surveyed attributed their longevity most frequently to their faith and

    spiritual care (23%) rather than genes or medical care (each at 3%).

    Other contributing factors to longevity that were cited included working

    hard (12%), a healthy diet, "living a good, clean life" (each at 9%),

    not smoking and care and love from their family (each at 8%).

  * Families Viewed as Greatest Source of Achievement, Inspiration. Among

    those surveyed, raising a family was identified most frequently (30%) as

    their most satisfying achievement in life, closely followed by careers

    (20%), having lived a long life, marriage and education (each at 6%).

    In addition, when asked about the people they admire most, seventeen

    percent combined cited their mother (13%) or both parents (4%).  Another

    13 percent said it was their spouse, while 12 percent mentioned another

    family member.  The most admired public figure among centenarians

    surveyed was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who garnered 5 percent.

  * Ages 20-39 Ranked as the Best Times in Life. Combined, thirty-nine

    percent of respondents said that either their 20s (15%) or their 30s

    (24%) were the best time of their lives.  However, eleven percent

    indicated that they are happiest today, rating their eleventh decade as

    the best time of their lives.  This is a dramatic increase from their

    70s, which no respondents said were their best years, as well as their

    80s (1%) and 90s (2%).

  * Advances in Transportation Seen as Society's Biggest Change.  Of the

    centenarians surveyed, most said advances in transportation were the

    biggest changes society has experienced in their lifetime (20%).

    Advances in technology (15%) and people's values and attitudes towards

    each other (15%) were also cited as among some of the past century's

    biggest changes.

  * Many at 100 are Prepared for the Future. While more than half of

    respondents had thought about their own death, only 4 percent said they

    actually fear it.  Centenarians also said faith and spirituality play a

    central role in how they are preparing for and approaching the future,

    with nearly 70 percent indicating they believed in life after death.  In

    addition, more than two-thirds of respondents knew what a living will

    was and 61 percent said they have prepared one.

"It's encouraging that so many understand the importance of a living will and have taken the time to prepare this crucial document," Mach said. "This survey will help deepen our understanding of what is most important to centenarians and deliver the well-coordinated, personalized care that is our hallmark. It should also provide a helpful roadmap for those of us working to reach 100."

Methodology

For the Evercare "100 at 100" survey, telephone interviews were conducted with a total of 100 nationally-representative adults (66 females and 34 males) who were 99 years old or older, with two-thirds of the respondents being between the ages of 100 and 104. The research was conducted by Strategic Research Partners, LLC.

About Evercare

Evercare coordinates health care and well-being services for the frail elderly, chronically ill, and disabled in the home, the community and skilled nursing facilities. Started in 1987, Evercare today serves more than 100,000 people nationwide through a variety of Medicaid, Medicare, and private-pay health plans. Evercare is part of Ovations, a division of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) dedicated to the health care needs of over-50 Americans. For more information about Evercare, call 1-866-772-0859 (TTY 1-888-685-8480) or visit www.evercarehealthplans.com.