Senior Health: Answers

1. The North Carolina Division of Public Health and the Division of Aging (http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/aging/) considers adults at this age as senior adults:
   1. 50
   2. 55
   3. 60
   4. 65

Answer: a. Adults are considered "senior" at age 50. There are 2.3 million North Carolina residents age 50 and older.

2. According to the North Carolina Division of Public Health and the Division of Aging 2003 report North Carolina maintains this rank in the nation with the number of older persons in the state:
   1. 1^st
   2. 5^th
   3. 10^th
   4. 20^th

Answer: c. North Carolina is 10^th in the nation with regard to its aging population.

3.  What percentage of North Carolina's population is age 50 and older?
1. 5%
2. 10%
3. 28%
4. 35%

Answer: c. Approximately 28% of North Carolina's population is age 50 and older.

4. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services conducted a survey and found that this percentage of people age 50 and older reported that their health was fair or poor.
1. 5%
2. 10%
3. 20%
4. 30%

Answer: d. About 30% of people age 50 and older in North Carolina say that their health is fair or poor.

5. The U.S. Census reports that more than 120,000 North Carolinians age 65 and older had incomes below the federal poverty level.
1. True 
2. False

Answer: a. A high concentration of older people in North Carolina cannot afford to see their doctors.

6. Nine percent of North Carolinians age 50 and older could not visit their doctor because: (according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services)
1. The drive to the doctor's office was too far.
2. Their community did not have a doctor.
3. The cost to go see the doctor was too high.

Answer: c. Many older North Carolinians cannot afford to see their doctors.

7. In a group of four older North Carolinians, how many people on average do not exercise or have regular physical activity?
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4

Answer: a. One out of every four older North Carolinians does not engage in physical activity.

8. In the future, older North Carolinians will have a difficult time getting into long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. Why?
1. By 2025 North Carolina will be the 11^th state in the nation with the highest percentage of older residents.
2. One in six North Carolinians live at or near the poverty level, making long-term care access difficult.
3. The demand for long-term care will be great, making access to these facilities very competitive.
4. A and B above.
5. All of the above.

Answer: e. All of the above.

9. In a group of 100 older North Carolinians, how many on average smoke?
1. 5
2. 10
3. 18
4. 30

Answer: c. The number of older North Carolinians who smoke is 18%.

10. Why are the new North Carolina Medicare prescription drug programs confusing?
1. North Carolina lists 38 plans, showing a large number from which to choose.
2. Premiums (costs) range from $13.00 to $65.00, showing a wide variety in plans.
3. The plans all have different deductibles and co-payments, showing a wide variety in options.
4. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.