America's Elderly Most Concerned About Iraq War And The Economy, According To Wesley Enhanced Living Survey

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Also Included In: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 23 Jul 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Wesley Enhanced Living, a progressive aging services provider and continuing care retirement community (CCRC) developer, has released the results of its first resident survey, which asked senior residents for their views on the upcoming presidential election. Ninety-three percent of the senior respondents say they are registered to vote, and over half say they have already decided on their candidate of choice. Survey findings reveal that two primary issues - the economy and the war in Iraq - may be the deciding factors for senior voters.

Ranging in age from 64 to 98, the survey's 72 senior respondents from the Wesley Enhanced Living at Heritage Towers and Wesley Enhanced Living at Maple Village retirement communities have witnessed at least 15 presidential elections over their lifetime. According to these well-seasoned respondents, issues of race and gender will set the 2008 election apart in the history books. Seniors also cite the influence of celebrity endorsements and the internet as factors which make the current election unique.

"This survey demonstrates the vitality of Wesley Enhanced Living residents and their active interest in the presidential race," said Shelley Ballet, VP of Marketing, Wesley Enhanced Living. "Our seniors recognize the significance of a national leadership change at this time and their responses reflect their commitment to making an informed choice in this presidential election."

When asked to imagine the nation 25 years from now, the Wesley Enhanced Living residents were very candid with their responses. Several indicated that America will have lost its leadership position in the world, and some stated that the country is likely to be "in a depression" and "still in a war." Others expressed concern over "the morality of our government officials and business executives." The well-being of our world's environment was also cited as a cause for concern.

Still, the majority of seniors are not completely disheartened by the government, as only three percent of survey respondents stated they did not plan on voting in the 2008 presidential election. Instead, most seniors are voting and want to set a positive example for younger generations by encouraging them to vote. They report that it is important to stay active in electing a leader that will provide a brighter future for this country.

Full survey results can be obtained by contacting Holly Mantle, LevLane Public Relations, at 215-825-9633 or hmantle@levlane.com. For more information about Wesley Enhanced Living, visit http://www.wel.org.

About Wesley Enhanced Living (WEL)

Wesley Enhanced Living (WEL) continuing care retirement communities are non-profit, non-denominational living environments with a mission to deliver a purposeful life to residents. Serving over 1,000, with more than 600 employees throughout Pennsylvania, Wesley Enhanced Living communities at Heritage Towers, Maple Village, Pilgrim Gardens, Evangelical Manor and Chestnut Hill Manor provide various combinations of independent living, personal care services, dementia care, and skilled nursing services. The organization also manages two HUD subsidized housing facilities for seniors, Meadow House and Manor Glen, in the Philadelphia region. Wesley Enhanced Living is headquartered in Southampton, Pennsylvania. For more information, call: 215.354.0565, or visit http://www.wel.org.