Older Kiwis feel healthier and happier than their younger counterparts

Young at heart and living well – happiness and health improves with age (and less frequent mobile phone use) according to 1000 New Zealanders surveyed for Cigna Insurance’s 360 Wellbeing Score New Zealand report.

Bill and Joy Darby, landscapeOlder Kiwis feel healthier and happier than their younger counterparts.

More than three quarters of respondents aged over 60 who took part in the annual Cigna 360 Wellbeing Survey said they were in excellent or good health, citing diet and exercise as an important part of their lives.

By comparison, fewer than half of New Zealanders under the age of 50 rated their health and well-being as excellent or very good.

The definition of ‘old’ is also influenced very much by perspective. Those in their early 20s defined 63 as old, whereas those over 60 said old age begins at 79.

The survey “sounds about right” to 81-year-old Bill Darby and his wife Joy (77).

“It’s all in the attitude,” says Mr Darby. “We’re not old!”

“Our body tells us we’re old because it doesn’t move the way it used to, but we certainly don’t think we’re old. At this stage I’d say we’re doing bloody well.”

The Manukau couple, who live in retirement village Summerset by the Park, typify many of the survey respondents who reported having worked well past the traditional retirement age of 65. Mr Darby worked as a pharmacist into his 70s alongside Mrs Darby, a former nurse.

They report being in very good health “despite our advancing age” and believe spending time with family is the most important part of life.

“We’re lucky our kids are in New Zealand. Our son lives 10 minutes away, our daughter is in Rotorua, and we see our grandchildren a lot,” Mrs Darby says.

They enjoy a drink most days (and belong to a wine appreciation group), saying fruit and vegetables are a large part of their diet.

“We will always have an apple with lunch, and dinner is laden with vegetables,” says Mrs Darby.

“We eat carrots by the million. Ninety-nine per cent of the meals we eat are prepared at home. We very seldom eat sweets,” adds Mr Darby.

The Cigna 360 Wellbeing Survey found some issues are part of the New Zealand psyche regardless of age, in particular the cost of living and financial planning.

While Mr and Mrs Darby acknowledge they were fortunate to be financially secure going into retirement, the rising cost of healthcare was an issue close to their heart. Cigna NZ CEO Lance Walker says the survey was an interesting exercise in gauging where New Zealanders stand internationally, and among different age groups.

“It was great to see how active and focused on wholefoods and healthy eating the older respondents were. Some were still going to the gym or running on a regular basis and almost all shared a diet rich in fruit and vegetables,” he says.

“Perhaps the least surprising result in the survey in this age group was the response around smartphone addiction. Of the respondents who stated ‘they couldn’t live without their smart phone’, 90% were aged between 25 and 49, whereas just 2% were aged over 60.”

GrownUps General Manager Richard Poole agrees with the findings.

“Our members continually tell us that life is only just beginning. New Zealanders would rather look forward than in the rear vision mirror when it comes to living life – 50 is seen as halfway,” he says.

“There is no doubt that in many cases, it’s about attitude versus anything to do with age, restricted only by our body’s ability.”

The Cigna 360 Wellbeing Survey monitors overall wellbeing across 11 countries and more than 15,000 people. It assesses a population’s health and wellbeing across five key areas: physical, social, family, financial and work.

Cigna 360 Wellbeing Survey Top insights – Respondents aged 60 and over:
• 42% of those over 60 rated their overall health and wellbeing as excellent or very good, and a further 35% felt they were in good health. Just 2% reported poor health.
• 96% believed spending time with their spouse or partner was the most important or very important part of life, followed by their children (95%) and parents (82%).
• Dairy was the most reported item in the fridge (98%) followed by fruit and vegetables (95%).
• Almost half the participants reported having frozen foods or microwave meals in their fridge/freezer (45% compared to a total 37% across all ages).
• Those over 60 were less likely to drink alcohol daily than other age groups (35% versus 31%).
• The main social issue concerning those over 60 was the rising cost of healthcare (67% compared to 46% across all ages), perhaps unsurprisingly given they spent on average $700 in the previous 12 months on medical expenses.
• Less than a fifth of all respondents perceived themselves as performing very well or better in being financially secure when unable to work (16%) and having sufficient money for retirement (17%). This was reflected in the 60+ age group with just 17% reporting they had financial security if they were unable to work, and 20% having sufficient money for retirement. Only a quarter of those over 60 believed they were performing well on their current financial situation.
• Those in the workforce reported good relationships with their colleagues (96%) and their supervisors (85%), despite reporting that these issues were not a high priority (51% and 29% respectively)