Senior Sentiment Report March 2021

• Vaccines Don’t Change Behavior
• Seniors Divided on Lockdowns
• Economy Improves Seniors Finances
   

Seniorly is proud to introduce our March Senior Sentiment Report. The survey is a monthly snapshot of how seniors in the US are feeling about their well-being and quality of life. The findings of each survey are summarized in a monthly Seniorly Sentiment Score, a combined overall score between 0 and 100, reflecting older adults' answers to questions about connectedness, affordability, and mental health.

The March 2021 Senior Sentiment Score is a combined overall score, reflecting this month’s Senior Connectedness Index, Senior Affordability Index, and Mental Health Index:

The Sentiment Score is a real-time qualitative measure of well-being and quality of life among our seniors, designed to track their responses to events and factors with wide-reaching national impact on a monthly basis.

The current Senior Sentiment score is 49.2 (a slight decrease from 49.8 in February). 

The rolling out of the vaccine has not contributed to a growing connectedness score. The vast majority of seniors report that vaccines have not changed their interpersonal behavior or their thoughts around returning to senior living.

In parallel, Seniors are divided on what should be done about the lockdowns. Roughly 50% voice an opinion that lockdowns should be extended or held in place until the end of the pandemic, while the other 50% would like lockdowns eased or eliminated entirely.

Seniors finances improved over the last month as well. The share of seniors who reported improving finances rose from 9% to 12% and the share who reported worsening finances fell from 18% to 14%

This survey was conducted 3/15/21 to 3/23/21.

The following chart breaks down the February to March change for the Connectedness, Affordability, and Mental Health Index.

Top 3 March 2021 Index Highlights

Vaccines Don’t Change Behavior

The growing vaccination push in the United States is reaching more and more seniors. However, over 65% of Seniors who received the vaccine report they have not changed their behavior. 

In addition, just over 5% report the vaccine changing their plans to move to Senior Living. Some cite concern for variants:

“Thinking about moving Dad to independent living facility, but waiting to see how the Covid variants play out.”

While others mention the heightened restrictions on Senior Care Communities: 

“No, because the governor has restricted those living in assisted living unfairly."

Overall, Seniors have adopted a wait and see methodology with how the communities and the government will react to the unfolding pandemic.

Lastly, despite the widening vaccine push, the share of Seniors who report interacting with 5 or more people at least once in the last month dropped from 58% to 41%.

Seniors Divided on Lockdowns

Seniors are divided on what should be done about the lockdowns. Roughly 50% voice an opinion that lockdowns should be extended or held in place until the end of the pandemic, while the other 50% would like lockdowns eased or eliminated entirely. 

Some argue for easing lockdowns:

"We need alternative ideas to a lockdown."

“Remove them all now"

While other Seniors argue to keep them in place:

“Until the Pandemic is over"

"Expert's guidelines should be followed."

Seniors overall remained divided on what to do.

Economy Improves Seniors Finances

Seniors have found their finances improving in the past month.

This increase is probably by the improving stock market, of which Senior have a portfolio of stocks. However, 55% of Seniors still report that Senior care is too expensive for what you get, while only 1.3% say it is “good value for money”.

Data Background:

Index Explanation

If you’re interested in a more in-depth explanation of how we survey and collect data, please contact research@seniorly.com