Health problems frequently associated with advanced age are largely preventable and can be controlled by adopting healthful lifestyles, including proper nutrition, adequate physical activity, an end to tobacco consumption, moderate use of alcohol, and immunization against influenza and pneumonia. Older people also need information about the many available health and long term care options. Making the best choice often depends upon receiving timely, accurate information about the delivery systems that are most responsive to an individual's personal circumstances. Only one-third of people now employed has tried to learn how much they must save to achieve a comfortable retirement. For many reasons, most older women and minorities cannot meet their financial needs over their life course.
Women thus make up almost three- quarters of all older persons below the poverty level.
Whether or not a person plans well for their older years will clearly determine their financial well being and quality of life. Adequate income and assets are critically important to enable well being in virtually all dimensions of life in the later years. Most older people prefer to remain in their own homes during their later years. Some older individuals will modify their homes to remain in familiar surroundings, even if they should become frail and vulnerable. A move to a new living arrangement, whether required by frailty or by chronic illness, can be traumatic.