Senior Healthy Living Survey
by 
Executive Summary
The Senior Healthy Living Survey by SilverSneakers is conducted by global intelligence company Morning Consult. The survey is fielded monthly among a national sample of adults 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage.
The mission of the Senior Healthy Living Survey is to serve as a primary voice of seniors nationwide in the areas representing all aspects of our mission. Harnessing this voice with rigor, and a focus on future-state, to anticipate the needs of seniors tomorrow while driving the thought leadership and product development of today.
Each survey includes a fixed set of questions on healthy behaviors along with a dynamic set of questions that cover timely topics imperative to our myriad stakeholders
Key Findings
- Participation in physical activities is up this month. In April, 18% of Seniors reported not participating in any physical activity (-4pts vs. Mar and -8pts vs. Feb). Most Seniors participating in physical activity prefer to do so at home (71%) (+2pts vs. Mar), compared to in the community (26%) (+/- 0pt vs. Mar) or at a gym (18%) (+2pts vs. Mar).
- Lack of motivation (33%) (-4pts vs. Mar and -13pts vs. Feb) remains the top reason why Seniors are not participating in physical activity; however, the share is down considerably since March and February. Having other priorities (20%) (+11pts vs. Mar) and not being able to afford a fitness membership (17%) (+9pts vs. Mar) see increases this month.
- Better weather (25%) (-3pt vs. Mar) continues to be the top motivator for Seniors’ whose level of physical activity is the same or worse compared to 3 months ago. Finding someone else such as a friend or family member to workout with (24%) (+9pts vs. Mar) and having enough self-motivation (21%) (+7pts vs. Mar) see increases this month as reasons that would motivate Seniors to spend more time exercising or doing physical activity each day.
- Less than a quarter (21%) of Seniors feel lonely in April (-3pts vs. Mar). This month, 35% of Seniors feel they lack companionship (+/-0pts vs. Mar), 32% feel left out (+1pt vs. Mar), and 34% (+3pts vs. Mar) feel isolated from others.
