Which type of health style describes you?

According to a study done in 2014, there are four health styles that Boomers practice, which best describes you?

Healthy and Proactive

The Healthy and Proactive take charge of their health and health finances. They are the most actively engaged in healthy behaviours such as exercise and eating well, have the most positive attitude about their health, and also feel well prepared for health care costs in retirement.

This group:

· Actively engage in key health behaviours such as exercising and eating well (73%)

· Does not allow things to get in the way of taking care of their health (25%)

· Say that staying healthy is a source of pride

· See themselves as limited by a chronic condition (20%)

· Have proactively researched retirement-related health care costs and insurance options (49%)

· If married, have had discussions with their spouse about retirement health care topics

· Is 55% female, and 45% male

Lucky but Lax

Lucky but Lax have been fortunate to be relatively healthy so far, but show little interest and effort in taking care of themselves or planning for their health finances, leaving them potentially vulnerable to future unexpected health disruptions.

This group

· Have fewer chronic conditions than other groups

· Rarely seek out information to improve their health

· Feel some concern about the impact an illness could

· have on their financial situation

· Does not research retirement-related health care costs and insurance options (23%)

· If married, do not have had discussions with their spouse about retirement health care topics

· Is 41% female, 59% male

Course-Correcting and Motivated

The Course-Correcting and Motivated have experienced a health “wake-up call,” such as an illness or diagnosis, and are now trying to improve their health by seeking out information and tools as well as adopting healthier behaviours.

This group

· Say having a chronic condition was a wake-up call for them to take better care of their health

· Engage in healthier behaviours actively seek out information about how to improve their health

· Are very interested in technology that can help them better manage their health

· Are very concerned about the impact illness could have on their financial situation

· Have researched retirement-related health care costs and insurance

· If married, have discussed retirement health care topics with their spouse

· Is 53% female, and 47% male

Challenged and Concerned

The Challenged and Concerned are struggling with health challenges, yet many are not actively taking good care of their health. They are the most worried about the impact of illness on their finances and are the most likely to say health care costs and insurance information are overwhelming and confusing.

This group

· Have chronic conditions, which keep them from doing the things that they enjoy

· Has low engagement in key health behaviours

· Say other life worries and responsibilities get in the way of taking care of their health

· Are seriously concerned about the impact illness could have on their financial situation

· Has not researched retirement-related health care costs and insurance options

· If married have not discussed retirement health care topics with their spouse

· Feel very overwhelmed and confused by retirement health care cost and insurance information

· Is 57% female, and 43% male