If a recent study is correct, Seattle is a healthier place to live than every other U.S. city except one.

Wallethub rated San Francisco first and Seattle second in a ranking of the 10 healthiest cities. The others, in order, are Honolulu, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Portland, Ore., Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Denver, and Irvine, Calif.

Tacoma ranked a little higher than middle-of-the-pack, at 75th among the 180 cities included in the survey.

Analysts for Wallethub said the ranking indicates location matters when it comes to health. Some places promote wellness by expanding access to nutritious food and recreational facilities. Others strive to keep healthcare costs affordable for everyone or keep parks clean and well-maintained. Although life has returned almost to normal since the COVID-19 pandemic, city leaders need to stay vigilant for any future health crises to safeguard the wellness of their residents, both physically and mentally, according to Wallethub.

To determine which cities prioritize their residents’ well-being the best, WalletHub compared the most populated U.S. cities on data ranging from the cost of a medical visit to fruit and vegetable consumption and the percentage of people who are fully vaccinated. Attention to physical fitness also was considered.

By Ramsey Alwin

For three years in a row, more Americans 65 and older are living in poverty—robbed of their ability to age with dignity. This is simply unacceptable in a country as rich as ours. Nor does it bode well for the 4.4 million Americans turning 65 in 2024.

The latest U.S. Census numbers show that under the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), the older-adult poverty rate jumped from 9.5 percent in 2020 to 10.7 percent in 2021 to 14 percent in 2022. Alarmingly, poverty among children also shot up to 12.4 percent in 2022 from a historic low of 5.2 percent in 2021.

Yet, the latest numbers also point us to the solution—the tremendous power of government programs. Social Security alone moved 20 million older adults out of poverty. Combined, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), housing subsidies, and the Supplemental Security Income lifted 1.6 million older adults out of poverty.

We have the programs in place to alleviate poverty. Now we need the political will and resources to do so. 

Right now, 5 million older adults are missing out on SNAP alone, amounting to $6.3 billion each year. Overall, we estimate that eligible older adults are leaving $30 billion on the table annually because they’re not enrolled in public benefits. NCOA and 56 other national health organizations are urging House and Senate leaders to provide permanent, annual funding of $75 million for benefits outreach and enrollment efforts. 

Many Americans support these programs. In our recent survey of women ages 25 and older, respondents expressed strong bipartisan support for 13 policies to ensure a secure retirement, including making Social Security cost-of-living adjustments reflect the cost of housing and healthcare and increasing benefits above the federal poverty level. 

It’s time to stop this upward trend in poverty in its tracks—for Americans of all ages.

Ramsey Alwin is president of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a non-profit organization advocating for older adults. This article was originally released in September by NCOA as a statement from Alwin.

By Brad Chastain

It’s no great secret older adults are an increasingly large share of America’s population. The birth rate  has fallen by more than half since the early 1960s. Typical life expectancy in the U.S. has increased by about a decade over the same span. And the last members of the Baby Boomer generation, which totals more than 75 million people, will hit their 60s starting in 2024.

America’s aging has far-reaching implications for society and the economy. Older workers’ retirements will decrease the size of the labor force and potentially leave many positions unfilled. Their transition from paying into programs like Social Security and Medicare to drawing the benefits will put extra strain on government budgets. Older Americans’ needs for health and social services will shape the economy as demand in those fields increases in the years to come. Lifestyle preferences can determine where and how communities grow and provide necessities like housing and transportation.

In some respects, the shifts underway in the U.S. reflect common demographic patterns in developed economies. Across the world, upper-middle income and high-income countries tend to have the lowest fertility rates and longest life expectancies. With fewer new births and the existing population living longer, the average age of a population increases over time.

Data from other major economies confirm that the aging trends in the U.S. are no outliers. Germany and the United Kingdom have followed a similar trajectory, with the share of the 65-and-over population roughly doubling from the mid-20th century to 2023. And in Asia, the trends are even more dramatic. Japan has seen its 65-and-over population increase from less than 5 percent in the early 1950s to more than 30 percent today. The percentage of the population 65 and over in China has more than doubled since the turn of the century, to 14 percent in 2023.

While the aging pattern in the U.S. is consistent with that of other developed economies, the Baby Boomer generation is a primary reason for the rapid growth of the senior population here over the last decade. More than 75 million Americans were born between 1946 and 1964, and as the members of that group have reached their later years, the population of seniors has increased.

From 2012 (the year after the first Baby Boomers turned 65) to 2022, America’s oldest generation had the fastest growth rates among men and women. The percentage of the U.S. population 65 and over increased from 13.7 percent to 17.3 percent. At the same time, those under 25 experienced a decline in their population shares.

In a study of that 10-year period, the populations of Tacoma and Seattle didn’t age quite as fast as the country as a whole. The percentage growths among 65-and-up were 3.6 nationally, 3.4 percent for Tacoma, and 2.4 percent for Seattle.

Some regions are aging more rapidly than others–in particular, the New England states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Vermont leads the nation with a 5.9 percent increase in its senior population between 2012 and 2022, followed closely by Maine at 5.6 percent and New Hampshire at 5.5 percent. Western states, including Wyoming (5.6 percent), Hawaii (5.4 percent), and Alaska (5.3 percent) also rank highly for their growth rates.

The most rapidly aging cities are spread throughout the country. In some cases, Sun Belt destinations are proving to be attractive retirement locations that are bringing more older adults into the population. In others, economic decline has limited the number of younger people moving in or families adding children, allowing the existing older population to grow.

Analysis of these trends was conducted by U.S. Money Reserve using data from the Census Bureau. Some highlights:

  • Among the largest cities (populations of at least 350,000), the five most rapidly aging cities (percentage increase of 65-and-older residents over a 10-year period) are led by New Orleans, where in 2022 17.3 percent of its residents were 65-plus, an increase of almost 6 percent since 2012. Next in line are Virginia Beach, Va. (16.1 percent, 4.8 percent), Albuquerque, N.M. (17.4 percent, 4.6 percent), Memphis, Tenn. (15 percent, 4.4 percent), and San Francisco (18.3 percent, 4.3 percent). Seattle ranks 40th at 13.8 percent and 2.4 percent..
  • Mid-size cities (150,000 to 349,999 residents) include Tacoma, which is ranked 63rd in that category at 14.7 percent and 3.4 percent. Spokane (17.6 percent, 3.1 percent) is 76th, Vancouver (16.7 percent, 2.9 percent) is 85th, and Bellevue is 127th (13.4 percent, -0.5 percent). Cape Coral, Fla. Is first at 25.1 percent and 7.5 percent.

Tacoma gained notoriety in 2020 for the benefits of its older residents when it was designated as part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, which  provides cities, counties and states with resources to become more age-friendly by tapping into national and global research, planning models, and best practices  Mayor Victoria Woodard said “the aging population is a group that we sometimes forget as policymakers. The city is dedicated to helping our residents of all ages live their best lives, and we will do our part to help make that happen.”

  • The small-city rankings (100,000-149,999 population) have Everett 75th at 13.8 percent and 3.5 percent. Columbia, Md. (19.5 percent, 8.9 percent) leads.

Source: U.S. Money Reserve, a consumer finances advisor and broker of government-issued gold and other precious metals.

Dialing 2-1-1 connects family caregivers with help

By Jason Erskine

AARP Washington has joined forces with 2-1-1 and United Way Worldwide to connect residents with trained, compassionate people in their communities who can provide caregiving help at any time, any day.

People who provide care for someone—like a family member or friend—need care, too, but navigating available services or programs that can help can be a challenge. Through 2-1-1, a free information and referral helpline, caregivers can talk to actual individuals in their community to find local resources for loved ones and themselves, too.

Through 2-1-1, family caregivers can:

  • Get immediate support and talk with a local resource specialist.
  • Address basic necessities such as housing, food, and utilities for themselves and their loved ones.
  • Connect to local services and organizations that can help with transportation needs, provide healthcare and information and resources including prescription payment assistance, and access to food delivery services, home safety programs, and veterans’ benefits.
  • Get referrals to specialized help for themselves and their loved ones.

“As champions for caregivers, we know at AARP that caregiving can be a complex and challenging role, and many may not know where to turn to for help or may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of resources available,” said AARP Washington director Marguerite Ro. “2-1-1 simplifies the process by helping caregivers connect to programs and services, access financial assistance and emotional support in their communities, and more.”

“Across America, 2-1-1 is seeing continued demand for local services to help family caregivers and their loved ones,” said Joshua Pedersen, senior director of 2-1-1 at United Way Worldwide. “Often, someone might call, text or chat 2-1-1 to find out what support is available for their loved one, and the call specialist is trained to hear when they need more support for themselves, too. By joining forces with AARP, this will help fill a critical resource gap.  

2-1-1 trained call specialists respond to 50,000 requests for help every day all over the U.S. and tap into 1.5 million local resources. Washingtonians can get the local information they need by simply dialing 2-1-1 for free help. Or visit www.aarp.org/211care.

Jason Erskine is AARP Washington’s communications director.