Staying Fit
Connecticut residents age 40+ are long-time residents of their community, according to a 2014 AARP Research survey, and they feel it is important to remain in their own communities as they age. While most think their communities are well-suited for aging in place, many say high property taxes and utility rates are problematic for them.
Key findings include:
- More than two-thirds of Connecticut residents age 40 and older have lived in their communities for more than 20 years. Many are not likely to move outside of Connecticut in the next 10 years.
- The vast majority of Connecticut residents age 40 and older rates their community as excellent, very good, or good place for people to live as they age.
- At least one-half of Connecticut residents age 40 and older rate their community as excellent, very good, or good in terms of providing alternative transportation services, affordable support services, affordable independent apartments and affordable assisted living facilities.
- Residents that are caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to rate affordable independent living apartments and assisted living facilities as fair or poor. They are also more likely than non-caregivers to say that if a basic life-task became too difficult, they would prefer to receive care in their own homes.
- More than one-half of Connecticut residents’ age 40 and older report high property taxes and high utility bills as being major problems in their community.
- Nearly seven in 10 adults age 40 and older living in Connecticut say that it is extremely or very important to them that services to aid independent living as one ages be made available in their community. Moreover, these residents say age-friendly communities should be a top or high priority for elected officials in the state.
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AARP Connecticut commissioned a telephone survey of 1,000 Connecticut residents age 40 and older to learn about their communities and services that are available to help older residents age in place. In addition to county-level reports for New Haven, Hartford, and Fairfield counties, a statewide report includes results from 1,000 residents interviewed between March 26 and April 6, 2014. For more information, contact Cassandra Burton at CCantave@aarp.org.
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