Report: S.C. Near Bottom in Addressing Seniors' Needs

South Carolina still has work to do in addressing the needs of seniors, according to a recent research report.

The annual America’s Health Rankings Senior Report, a report from the UnitedHealth Foundation that assembles data from 12 government agencies, ranked South Carolina 34th in the nation for senior health for the second consecutive year.

Dr. John Rennick, medical director for UnitedHealthcare of the Carolinas, said the report helps understand the key challenges and opportunities facing South Carolina’s senior population.

“With the senior population expected to double in size in the next 25 years, it is important that we develop effective programs and solutions that address seniors’ health needs in South Carolina and nationwide,” Rennick said. “The good news is that our ranking is certainly not as low as some of the other states in the Southeast.”

Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas all ranked among the least healthy for seniors.

Rennick said the goal of the report is to help people lead healthier lives.

“The primary goal is we don’t want people to focus on how long they are living but how well they are living,” he said.

Rennick said seniors older than 65 are making more of an effort to participate in some type of physical activity, thereby reducing arthritis. He also said using hospice care actually lowers healthcare costs.

“It improves the quality of life for people with terminal illnesses,” Rennick said. “A lot of people don’t realize it lowers costs and improves quality of life. The low percentage of low-care nursing home residents is related to South Carolina having better facilities more so than them not being used.”

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