Senior Sentiment Report April 2021

• Vaccines Are Starting to Change Behavior
• Seniors Divided on Travel
• Economy Continues to Improve Senior Finances

Seniorly is proud to introduce our April Senior Sentiment Report. This survey is a monthly snapshot of how seniors in the U.S. 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 April 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 53 (an increase from 49.2 in March). 

Although the senior Connectedness Index did not change in April, with ongoing efforts to vaccinate everyone, eligible seniors have started to feel cautiously optimistic about returning to more normal activities and seeing vaccinated family and friends.

On the subject of travel, however, seniors are divided: 43% reported having no intention of traveling this summer while 41% have plans to do so. Of those willing to travel, half specified that they would use personal or rental cars as they hit the road.

As senior finances continued to improve, seniors also reported feeling slightly less concern about affording senior care. 18% reported that their finances improved in April, and our overall Affordability Index rose from 39 to 46.

This survey was conducted 4/19/21 to 4/22/21.

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

Top 3 April 2021 Index Highlights

Vaccines Are Starting to Change Behavior

Whereas in March only 11% of seniors reported changing their behavior after getting the vaccine, in April this number rose to 19%, in part because more seniors have received vaccines now. Seniors have cautiously started to venture out and/or see vaccinated friends and family without masks.

“Switched from my N 95 mask to a regular cloth mask. Now visiting with other totally vaccinated friends without any masks when we are not out in public”

“Definitely feel like I have ammunition in my healthcare arsenal to fight the pandemic and to hug my family again”

Additionally, 9% of seniors reported that the vaccine had affected their senior living plans, up from 5% in March. For some, this meant feeling like senior communities are now safer post-vaccine:

“I'd feel more comfortable entering a senior living community now that my wife and I are vaccinated.”

While for others, fears about the compliance of staff and other residents have swayed them in the opposite direction:

“The vaccine so far hasn't worked for me so I am afraid of senior living as there is no requirement that everyone, including staff, be vaccinated so I don't feel I would be safe in a community living situation at this time.”

Although many remain skeptical of the vaccine itself or others’ compliance, broadly speaking seniors are starting to feel slightly more optimistic about efforts to fight the pandemic and their ability to return to some activities.

Seniors Divided on Travel

43% of respondents said that they either had no plans to travel this summer, or were waiting to see how the pandemic and/or travel restrictions developed:

“No current plans. Waiting to see when herd immunity is close.”

“not unless situation improves.”

“I have reservations for a cruise in August, don't know if that's going to happen.”

However, 41% of seniors said they were excited to travel, mostly by car, although many are comfortable flying. Roadside attractions that managed to survive last year’s lack of tourism should prepare for better business as seniors start road-tripping.

“We will travel by car to stay in a recommended B & B, with some others from our family.”

“Road trip to see old dirt bike riding buddies.”

“Yes, by car to see family we haven't seen for over a year.”

Economy Continues to Improve Senior Finances

Seniors have continued to see positive movement in their finances.

This trend mirrors reports that the U.S. is leading global economic recovery, in part fueled by aggressive vaccination efforts. However, 52.3% of seniors still report that senior care is too expensive for what you get. Though 23.4% feel that senior living is priced fairly, only 2% say it is “good value for the money.”

Conclusion 

More vaccinations have led to slight changes in senior behavior, and although they remain divided on the question of travel, seniors feel a little less stressed about finances. Though all these changes are small, seniors are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, and report feeling “more relaxed” and a “greater sense of freedom and hope.” 

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

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