ICELAND: Senior Citizens in Reykjavík Satisfied

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (Iceland Review), March 2, 2008: The majority of Reykjavík citizens, who are 80 and older, are satisfied with their life, according to an opinion poll undertaken by Capacent Gallup on behalf of Reykjavík City’s Welfare Division between November 29, 2007, and January 9, 2008. The poll was aimed at studying the circumstances of Reykjavík’s oldest residents in terms of housing, health, service, social networks and their attitudes towards the service they are provided with. Most participants said they were in good health, 63 percent, 74 percent said they were in good physical shape considering their age and 65 percent of participants said they exercised at least once a week. A vast majority said they were not socially isolated, that they often met with relatives and friends. About one third of participants said they were involved in social activities especially aimed at senior citizens and about one fourth said they also participated in other social activities. Reykjavík City’s Welfare Division concludes that senior citizens living in the capital are being cared for and that their needs and wishes are being fulfilled. Gallup contacted 1,000 Reykjavík residents ages 80 and older at random and 58.8 percent participated in the poll. © Copyright icelandreview.com (Heimur hf)