Celebrating Older Americans - :DentalPlans Survey Reveals What Does and Doesn't Change as We Age

PLANTATION, Fla., May 10, 2016 -- In celebration of Older Americans Month this May, :DentalPlans asked people over 50 about their lives now and what they look forward to experiencing in the future.

Let's Talk Retirement – According to the :DentalPlans survey, 41% of Americans over 50 are still working, many of them (59%)between the ages of 50 and 59. But it seems retirement is coming later for some; just over 1/3 of respondents are continuing to work well into their 60s and 70s.

Lives of Leisure – What do older Americans do with their free time once they've exited the workforce? Travel is the most popular choice with 69% of respondents having traveled at least twice within the past year. Spending time with family and focusing on hobbies are also top contenders.

Changes – As we age, a lot changes including how we feel about things like our health, looks and what people think of us. Older Americans reported that they cared more about their physical health (66%) and fitness (57%), the same about their looks (57%), and less about what others think of them (42%) than they did when they were younger.

Dental Decisions – Our dental health becomes even more important as we get older. 38% of respondents report brushing twice and flossing once, daily. Women were especially likely to adhere to the ADA's recommended brushing and flossing routine.

Golden Years – The majority of Americans (72%) look forward to spending their Golden Years in the comfort of their own home. 9% would like to live with a family member or in an active senior living community and 6% look forward to living abroad.

Since 1963, the month of May has been dedicated to highlighting older Americans' contributions and raising awareness about the issues facing older adults. One of those issues is accessible, affordable dental care. Medicare does not cover the majority of dental treatments and supplemental Medigap plans typically do not cover dental care either.

Oral health is increasingly being linked to overall health, and regular dental care is among the best ways to maintain wellness. And there's no need to skip dentalcheckups and cleanings due to a fixed budget.

Dental savings plans, an established alternative to traditional dental insurance, help to make quality dental care affordable for everyone, with discounts of 10%-60% on dental care from a nationwide network of dentists. To learn more about dental savings plans, visit dentalplans.com.

About :DentalPlans

:DentalPlans, founded in 1999, is a leading dental and health savings marketplace in the U.S., helping more than a million people to affordably access quality healthcare services. Our mission is to empower consumers with the tools, information, and services that they need to live happier, healthier lives.

We provide comprehensive resource centers aimed at helping people to maintain/regain optimal health, and successfully navigate the maze of healthcare payment options (including Obamacare and Medicaid.) Our independent research – the :DP SmileMeter™ and :DP SmileIndex™ – delivers a unique look into the consumer healthcare market.

We offer user-friendly access to a wide selection of traditional dental insurance and 30+dental savings plans, along with innovative healthcare offerings including telemedicine, medical advocacy, and online counseling services. Our online plan comparison and savings calculator tools help consumers to make smart choices about essential healthcare services, and our :DP AtYourService™ customer support team leaves no question unanswered.

For more information, visit us at www.dentalplans.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
 
Survey Methodology: The survey was conducted between the dates of April 13 and 15, 2016, using an online opt-in consumer panel.  A total of 507 responses were collected.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=40195

CONTACT: Alissa Pifer
         Communications Manager
         954-668-2148