What are the HEALTHIEST and LEAST HEALTHIEST States to be a Senior Citizen in? .. Maybe not Where You Think .. Find Out ..

The healthiest state to be a senior citizen is Minnesota and the worst is Mississippi, according to a new report that examines the health of people over 65.

For the second year in a row, United Health Foundation, a Minnesota non-profit, has examined publicly available health data across the USA and ranked states by their support for healthy aging.

"We really wanted to take a look at how well seniors are living as well as how long," said Rhonda Randall, a senior adviser to United Health Foundation and chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, a Minnesota-based company offering private Medicare plans.

Some metrics improved over last year, according to the report, "America's Health Rankings® Senior Report: A Call to Action for Individuals and Their Communities":

• More seniors are getting regular physical activity;

• More are choosing what kind of care they want at the end of life, with hospice care rising and hospital deaths falling over last year;

• Fewer people were hospitalized for preventable reasons;

• More seniors are living in high-quality nursing homes

Minnesota ranks so well because it offers widespread access to annual dental care; has a high percentage of volunteerism — meaning seniors are staying active and have a purpose; and higher prescription drug coverage, she said. But the state could still do better by spending more on support activities such as senior centers and transportation, Randall said.

Read the rest HERE and find out how your state ranks below.

Click Map to open the interactive version:

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