The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University

National Program on Women & Aging

Women & Aging Letter
Excerpt - Volume 6  Number 3

Vox Pop:  American Women 50+

In August of this year, the National Center on Women & Aging (NCWA) conducted an in-depth telephone interview with 1,001 women across the nation.  All women were 50 years of age or older (50 to 94 years of age), representing a diverse and fascinating population.*  NCWA conducted this poll (and intends to conduct similar research annually) because, as one of our respondents said, “[Older women do not have] a voice on a variety of topics.  People haven’t been listening to women’s concerns.”  The Center aims to remedy this by asking about, listening to, and sharing older women’s views and concerns with the public, policymakers, and the press.  The Center held a briefing on November 18th at the National Press Club in Washington DC to release the poll findings.  USA Today and several other newspapers have since featured reports on the poll.  Key results and an executive summary can be found on the Center’s web site.

This issue of the Women and Aging Letter provides poll highlights, including a number of responses to our open-ended questions.  You may recognize your own voice, your mother’s voice, your sister’s voice among the many women we interviewed.

* NCWA designed the questionnaire and conducted the data analysis.  Phone interviews were conducted by Market Facts, Inc., ranked as one of the top ten global custom marketing research companies.  All respondents were members of Market Facts’ consumer mail panel.  For more information on Market Facts and the mail panel, visit:  www.marketfacts.com.

The Center gratefully acknowledges project funding from the U.S. Administration on Aging.

 

Health and Money:  The Great Divides

We asked our poll respondents if aging was better or worse than they expected.  We were glad to hear that just over half (51%) said it was better, compared to 32% saying it was worse.  What generally defined “better” and “worse” for these women?  Their health and/or financial status:

“My health is reasonably good and we have sufficient money to live comfortably.”  71, MI
“My health—I didn't expect to have all these problems. The income for the things that I need is worse.” 74, NY

In fact, health and finances topped the list of these women’s main concerns.  This Letter’s inside pages will explore these challenges as women 50+ guide us through the experience of aging.  We also examine the characteristics of women who find aging better than they expected.
 
 

Health Limitations Span Age Groups

While a majority of the women surveyed said their physical health was good, very good, or excellent, nearly a third discussed health limitations that limited their daily activities (exercising, doing housework, working, etc.).  Almost one in ten reported being disabled and unable to work. (See figure.)  Importantly, the oldest women were not more likely than the youngest women to report limitations.  Analysis shows that being in good physical health, having good mental health, and not having health limitations are the key factors determining whether an interviewee finds the aging process better or worse than she expected.

These women engaged in a variety of activities to stay happy and healthy; spending time with family and friends was most often mentioned as the main enjoyment in life.

Women 50+ tell us what they enjoy most and how they stay active:

“Being amongst friends, reading and I do crafts.”  77, OH

“I enjoy bowling, reading, crafts, and I like to go to  work.”  57, MD

“Spending time with my kids and my husband and doing things with them.”  53, PA

“Doing volunteering work, babysitting, taking a trip once or twice a year and staying active in my church.  69, LA

 

Women 50+ Offer Advice

What would your advice be to other women about money management?  The 1,001 women we surveyed responded to this question with advice that sometimes gives a hint of the problems women face dealing with money.  Here are some examples:
 

“Save weekly.”  57, MA

“Live below your means.”  58, NJ

“Don't depend upon your husband to manage your money entirely because when he is gone, you have to do it.”  85, OR

“You don’t need everything you see.”  55, VA

“Learn all you can about your own finances.”  65, CA

“When you are a widow do not make any decisions for at least six months.”  69, OK

“Don’t marry a person who drinks and gambles a lot.”  60, TN

“I suppose that it would be to get a job while you’re young with a retirement to it.”  58, CA

“If you are married, make sure your husband is saving, don’t take his word.”  72, FL

“Always save as if you are going to live to be old.”  80, MA

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