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Older Adults Less Worried About Aches and Pains Than the Middle-Aged, Our Survey Finds

Adults between the ages of 50 and 59 are more concerned about a laundry list of age-related changes and health issues than people ages 70 to 79, according to our latest survey of older adults. Some concerns were fairly consistent across the board, including worries about arthritis, memory loss and loss of mobility.

But the percentage of those extremely or very concerned about several other issues as they get older varied considerably by age group:

  • Weight gain: 33 percent of those 50 to 59 are extremely or very worried versus 19 percent of adults 70 to 79
  • Lack of energy: 32 percent of those 50 to 59 vs. 14 percent of adults 70 to 79
  • Back pain: 33 percent of those 50 to 59 vs. 19 percent of adults 70 to 79
  • Digestive issues: 21 percent of those 50 to 59 vs. 8 percent of adults 70 to 79
  • Losing a sense of belonging: 25 percent of those 50 to 59 vs. 7 percent of adults 70 to 79


Our researchers say the findings suggest the fear younger adults have of the unknown may be worse than what they’ll actually experience as they get older. The disparity could also be a result of older adults coming to terms with certain realities of aging that their younger counterparts haven’t yet accepted.

The roughly eight-minute online survey was conducted last month for an upcoming edition of AARP The Magazine and includes responses from 900 adults ages 50 to 79. Read more findings from the report.

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