Colorado’s level of priority for its senior citizens has allowed it to become the best state for retirement in the U.S., according to a U.S. News & World Report study.
The study may be surprising since some people may think that sunny states, such as Florida or Arizona, should be the best places for retirees. However, the study’s top five states included Maine, Iowa, and South Dakota. Beaches in Hawaii also partly led the state to be the third best place for retirement.
Retirement Living
Colorado has some of the healthiest people aged 65 years and above, owing to the state’s Medicare services and quality of nursing homes, according to the study. The state’s growing elderly population has led it to prioritize senior healthcare. In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that senior citizens accounted for 13.4% of the state’s population.
Other than a good healthcare system, Gov. John Hickenlooper cited the state’s top ranking to a collaborative approach among the private sector, local communities, and the state government. Hickenlooper said that the quality of nursing homes in Denver and other cities, including those with a stair lift, are important to control healthcare costs.
Weather Misconceptions
Many Americans believe that states with a chilly climate are unsuitable for retirement, according to Deidre McPhillips, data editor at U.S. News & World Report. Despite having cold weather, Colorado emerged on top because it offers an attractive lifestyle for seniors, McPhillips said.
Still, Alaska ranked at the bottom of the list most likely because of its climate. The study based its findings on 12 factors, including primary care coverage and its costs, the life expectancy of 65-year-old Americans in each state, and the retirees’ state of health.
Healthcare should be the top concern for older Americans who are heading into retirement. For this reason, the study listed Colorado on top of the list because of the quality of its medical services.