Florida Just So-So In Senior Health

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) — For some residents of the northeast and midwest it's 'the dream' - retire to sunny Florida to spend their golden years.

But that may not be the best thing for them. A new study found the Sunshine State was just so-so when it came to the health of its seniors.

The study released last week by the United Health Foundation ranks Florida number 27 out of the 50 states for senior health characteristics.

Vermont was ranked No. 1, and Louisiana was ranked last.

Florida did well on community spending for seniors, as well as a low rate of seniors who have fallen in the past year.

But the study says Florida needs improvement in the areas of getting seniors to volunteer and also getting seniors to be vaccinated for the flu. The study says seniors in Florida also have a high use of intensive care units.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)