by Rhonda Randall, 07/29/2013

Independence Day is a special and celebratory time for all Americans, especially seniors. It’s also a time for reflection as we think about how best to ensure that we, as a nation, are championing our most treasured values of freedom, pride, and independence. While we, as a country, have much to celebrate, we also have important work ahead of us, particularly when we think about the challenges facing our growing senior population. As the inaugural America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report brings to light, we must put concerted effort into ensuring that seniors have greater ability to live and age independently and achieve fulfillment in their later years.

The percentage of low-care nursing home residents – or those who do not require full physical support and may be able to live in an alternative environment – is a critical measure of independence among older adults, with the national average at 12.2 percent. That means that 12.2 percent of senior citizens who currently reside in nursing homes might be able to live in a less restrictive environment if they had greater access to community-based services such as adult day care, homebound meal delivery, and home health care.

These findings point to the vital role of local support systems in meeting seniors’ health needs in ways that allow them to maximize their independence and participate more fully in their communities.

With America’s population living longer but sicker – and with 50 percent of seniors having one or more forms of preventable chronic disease – senior citizens’ ability to lead independent, fulfilled lives have become dangerously compromised. The onset of preventable disease can inhibit our ability to walk to the grocery store, prepare dinner, and even get dressed in the morning. Adopting healthy routines now – and sticking to them – can help guarantee that we’ll be self-sufficient as we age and that all of our years will be good years.

In the spirit of American independence, it’s time that we identify opportunities to help today’s and tomorrow’s seniors live with vitality and independence – to guarantee that our seniors, too, can best embody our nation’s most celebrated values.

Rhonda L. Randall, D.O., is the chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions, the nation’s largest business dedicated to the health and well-being of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries. Dr. Randall is responsible for clinical strategy for the business, and she oversees and ensures effective execution of clinical programs and operations, Medicare payment management, and physician engagement. She also coordinates the business’ clinical initiatives with those of UnitedHealth Group’s other businesses. Dr. Randall is a fellowship-trained geriatrician and is board certified in family practice as well as hospice and palliative medicine. Dr. Randall earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, and was recently honored as one of the college’s Alumni of Distinction. She earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her internship, family practice residency and geriatrics fellowship at Florida Hospital in Orlando, where she served as chief intern and chief resident.