SeniorScore™ is the first livability index formulated specifically for senior citizens. It is an un-biased, data-driven algorithm that incorporates over 100 data points from numerous sources including Medicare, the US Census Bureau, and other various government and private databases. The goal of SeniorScore™ is to determine how well a specific location accommodates the comfort and needs of senior citizens. The SeniorScore™ is broken out into four different categories:
Health and Safety - This score shows how well an area provides for the unique health needs of seniors. It primarily determines the level of access to senior healthcare facilities, physicians specializing in the needs of older people, and overall access to and quality of emergency services. It also provides insight into crime statistics for an area as well as life expectancy.
Recreation and Leisure - This category describes the social and recreational atmosphere of a location as it relates to amenities and activities generally valued by seniors. It considers the overall size of the senior population, the activity level of that population, and numerous amenities commonly utilized by senior citizens for social interaction and fun.
Finances - This number gives insight into the overall economic and financial favorability of an area. It incorporates general statistics like sales and income tax rates, home affordability and property taxes, income levels, and general costs of living. It also considers items of specific interest to seniors including costs of various types of senior living and in-home care as well as other financial burdens unique to older people.
General Quality of Life - This score is based on a variety of measures that involve the general comfort and livabiliy of an area. It includes data on how ideal the weather in an area is, how densely an area is populated, and how clean the environment is. It also contains information about an location's general livability, such as the efficiency of the public transportation, levels of traffic, and the safety and quality of public schools.