This indicator is part of Seniors age in place.

Indicator description:                                                           

Senior citizens generally prefer to remain in their own homes, even if they require some level of care or assistance from relatives or professionals. This indicator notes the percentage of Albuquerque residents providing care for an elderly relative and where that care occurs, whether in the senior's home, in the care-giver's home, in the home of another, or at a nursing home facility. In Albuquerque, the percentage of residents providing care for an elderly relative has risen. At the same time, more seniors are receiving care in their own homes, or the relative's home, while the percent of those receiving care in the home of another, or at a nursing home has remained stable. This data was obtained during a City of Albuquerque citizen survey, it is not available for other cities in the Southwest, so Albuquerque cannot be compared with other communities.

Why is this indicator relevant?

Studies suggest that senior citizens are happier remaining in their own homes. Those remaining at home reported being more content and less depressed than either those living with relatives, or those living in nursing home facilities for the elderly. Seniors reported preferring to remain in their own homes, and reported being happier and more contented there, even if that meant living alone.

Data Source:
City of Albuquerque Citizen Perception of Community Conditions Survey, 2003 & 2005.

What can we tell from the data?

• A higher percentage of Albuquerque residents are providing care for an elderly relative in 2005 than in 2003.
• More Albuquerque senior citizens receive care from relatives while remaining in their own homes in 2005 than in 2003. The percent receiving care in nursing homes remained stable.

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