Survey Finds that Most Parents Forget this Important Back to School Supply: Making Family Meals a Priority

As families send their children back to school, some parents are forgetting the most important school supply: the family meal.  A recent consumer survey of American grocery shoppers, conducted by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Rodale Inc., underscores the infrequency of family meals in the U.S. and the critical need for more.  The findings revealed that only 57% of parents eat dinner with their children every night.

"We already know the many benefits of family meals," said Sue Borra, RD, executive director of the FMI Foundation.  "Just as notebooks and art supplies prepare our children for school, so does the family meal.  Academic research shows that kids and teens who eat meals with their family four or more times a week earn better test scores and perform better in school."

However, 71% of parents in the survey say in their "ideal" world they would want to eat with their children every night.  Borra added, "With such busy lives, it's easy to understand how American households struggle to make family meals a reality." 

The good news is that the survey also identified solutions.  For parents who did not eat dinner with their children nightly, the top-two recommendations were not surprising:  1) Serve more meals their kids enjoy (47%); 2) Ensure that everyone is home at dinner time (42%). 

Parents also are looking to their grocery stores to provide solutions.  The top three requests were:  1) Provide more kid-friendly recipes in store; 2) Display foods together than can be combined for an easy meal; 3) Provide more ready-to-eat foods that kids like.

Food retailers are responding – not only with individual offerings at a local level, but as an industry too.  To help American families achieve the goal of one more meal at home each week, the food retailer industry has developed a website,www.NationalFamilyMealsMonth.org. It is filled with tools, tips, and meal-planning ideas to make it easier for families to have one more meal together per week – not just during National Family Meals Month, but all year long.  The website also includes links to numerous partners – primarily food retailers and manufacturers – also committed to helping consumers achieve their increased family meals goal.  In short, families can find support from their favorite local supermarket and food brands.

The FMI Foundation also is encouraging Americans to join the National Family Meals Month movement by pledging to one more breakfast, lunch or dinner at home per week.  Shoppers can post pledge photos, mealtime pictures, favorite recipes and shopping tips or even post a selfie wearing a favorite oven mitt with the hashtag #FamilyMealsMonth.

How to Pack Healthy School Lunches and Snacks

Busy parents know that packing healthy lunches and snacks that kids will eat and not throw out or trade day after day is a challenge. For kids with food allergies – which, according to the CDC, is one in 13 kids or about two per classroom – or who attend a peanut-free school, it gets even more difficult.

Here are some tips for packing healthy and delicious allergy-friendly lunches and snacks that fuel kids' active minds and bodies all day long.

Send a Kid-Approved SnackThere will be birthdays and celebrations in school where the snacks may not be allergy-friendly. Talk with your child's teacher and make sure they understand his or her dietary restrictions. Send a snack they can eat for the teacher to keep on hand for these occasions. Or, if it's your child's birthday, send something delicious everyone can enjoy together.

One to try: EnviroKidz Granola Bars and Crispy Rice Bars, the first organic, gluten-free, peanut-free bars for kids, in tasty Chocolate Chip and Strawberry Granola Bars and Berry Blast and Chocolate Crispy Rice Bars. The strawberry and berry blast flavors are also dairy-free, and 1 percent of sales from all four flavors go to help endangered species.

Make It PositiveInstead of focusing on the things your child can't eat, focus on all of the delicious foods they can enjoy. You can look online for ideas and talk about them with your child, involving them in the process to come up with a list of things they love. Try gluten-free waffles instead of bread for sandwiches, nut-free butters like sunflower seed butter, smoothies or soups in a thermos, or fruit with dairy-free yogurt for dipping. Make sure to stock the fridge and pantry with these items so you can easily pack lunches without stress. You can even post the list on the refrigerator and let them choose what they want.

Go for the Gold Standard: OrganicIf your little one has allergies, it's important to think about lunches in a holistic way, not just avoiding certain foods.

"When packing allergy-friendly foods, considering the quality of all the ingredients, not just the ones it's 'free of,' is really important," said Ashley Koff, registered dietitian. "The easiest choice: organic ingredients, which means non-GMO, because they give you what the body recognizes easily and avoids ingredients that can detract from better nutrition and better health."

Make It FunJust because you are avoiding certain foods doesn't mean that lunch or snack time can't be delicious and fun. Pack foods in a variety of colors and shapes, including rolls and stacks. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes and create pops, kebabs or other easy recipes that use kid- and allergy-friendly foods and make eating a blast. Additionally, a simple, sweet note or picture drawn on a napkin can be a nice lunchtime surprise.

Packing lunches and snacks for kids with allergies can be a challenge, but with some planning you can find delicious, nutritious foods your child will love. Find more allergy-friendly recipes and lunch and snack tips at envirokidz.com.

Fruit and Granola Bar Kebabs

Serves: 8-10

4- 5	varieties of colorful fruits
	Star or heart-shaped cookie cutter (optional)
1	box peanut-free EnviroKidz Granola Bars
	kebab skewers

Wash and slice fruit into bite-size chunks large enough to withstand a skewer.

Use cookie cutter for fruit shape at top of kebab.

Once fruit is ready, cut up granola bars, about 3 squares each, and begin layering kebabs.

Serve immediately.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Safety Tips

Frisco No. 5 Best Place in the Nation to Collect Halloween Treats!

As the nation gears up for the most neighborly of holidays, Halloween, Nextdoor has released the Top Ten U.S. Cities for Treats. For the first time, Nextdoor analyzed data from the tens of thousands of neighborhoods that use the platform's annual Treat Map feature to create this list. Trick-or-treaters in these top cities will hit the candy jackpot this Halloween.

Top Ten U.S. Cities for Treats:

1. Cary, NC
2. Ann Arbor, MI
3. Omaha, NE
4. Columbus, OH
5. Frisco, TX
6. Orlando, FL
7. Downers Grove, IL
8. Greenville, SC
9. Baton Rouge, LA
10. Boise, ID

List methodology: This list is based on the ratio of Nextdoor members who indicated they were passing out candy on their neighborhood's Treat Map to the total number of Nextdoor members in a city. Data was analyzed in U.S. cities where more than 5,000 neighbors are using Nextdoor.  

Each day neighbors across the country rely on Nextdoor to connect about the things that matter most in their communities. Every October, neighbors use Nextdoor's Treat Map to let each other know they will be passing out candy by marking their home on their neighborhood's Treat Map with the ultimate Halloween icon, a candy corn. Parents and trick-or-treaters can use the map to plan their routes ahead of time.

"Passing out Halloween candy is one of the most neighborly things you can do," said Nirav Tolia, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor. "We are excited to share this year's list of the Top Ten U.S. Cities for Treats and encourage neighbors everywhere to show theirHalloween spirit by adding their own homes to their neighborhood's Treat Map."

1. Boise, ID

Halloween: A Sweet Time for Family, Fun and Traditions

(Family Features) Halloween is a fun time of year meant to be celebrated with friends and family. While the holiday originated more than 2,000 years ago with Celtic tribes, the traditions of dressing in disguises and celebrating with food and drink endure to this day.

According to a survey conducted by the National Confectioners Association, more than three quarters of Americans will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters this year and many others will participate in community sponsored Halloween events, display a seasonal candy bowl or attend a Halloween party.

No matter what age group, Halloween is a time to let loose and have some fun. Here are some tips to help you and your family make the most of this sweet and spooky holiday:

Make new traditions together. While trick-or-treating is a perennial favorite Halloween activity, don’t be afraid to expand your options. Many families already enjoy things like carving a jack-o-lantern or attending a family oriented Halloween party. For some new ideas, try transforming your home into a haunted house with spooky displays, decorating customized trick-or-treat bags or even going on a hayride at a local farm. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you can spend time with loved ones.

Amp up the spook-factor with creepy treats. Candy is a special part of Halloween, and one of life’s little pleasures that is meant to be enjoyed as a treat during the holiday. On Halloween, candy shaped like eyeballs, brains or spiders can be a fun way to create a memorable celebration. Parents are 24 percent more likely than non-parents to pick creepy candy over other Halloween themes.

Enjoy candy in moderation. With lots of treats being handed out on Halloween, it’s a good time to keep moderation in mind. Nearly 80 percent of parents surveyed report that they have a plan in place to help their children make smart decisions when it comes to the enjoyment of treats. NCA’s moderation guides are a handy way to make sure you treat right on Halloween or any day of the year. Let your children enjoy some candy on Halloween and then portion out two or three treats into small bags for enjoyment later. For school-age children, consider slipping a small piece of candy into their lunch boxes as a fun surprise.

Remember that safety comes first. There are a number of easy ways to make the evening a safe and enjoyable one. Wear light-colored clothing that’s short enough to prevent tripping and add reflective tape to the sides, front and back of costumes. Trick-or-treat before the sun is completely set and carry a flashlight in case of delay. Finally, try to stay within your neighborhood and only visit homes you know.  

Learn more about Halloween traditions and how to enjoy sweets in moderation at CandyUSA.com/HalloweenCentral. There you can also find great recipes, moderation tips and guides, craft ideas and safety reminders to make sure you enjoy a spooktacular holiday.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images 

National Feral Cat Day® Celebrated Worldwide Oct. 16

Cat advocates worldwide have scheduled over 700 events to advocate for the lives of cats and kittens on the 15th anniversary of National Feral Cat Day, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. Inspired by this year's theme,Evolution of the Cat Revolution, supporters are committing to make their own evolution in working toward animal control and sheltering practices that protect the lives of all cats.

"Our incredible success in promoting Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats as a mainstream practice has saved countless lives, but there's more to be done," said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies, the advocacy organization that established National Feral Cat Day. "We encourage cat advocates to continue with their own local evolution by taking the next step. It could be neutering a cat, speaking at a community meeting or spearheading a campaign for a local Trap-Neuter-Return ordinance. There's always room to grow."

More than 1,500 events have taken place on this day since 2011. Volunteers are organizing spay/neuter clinics, arranging educational sessions, encouraging official governmental proclamations, and raising funds to support local Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs.

Hundreds of these local, volunteer-driven events are listed on nationalferalcatday.org, which also has ideas that people can use to celebrate in their own communities.

Alley Cat Allies, the nation's only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats, established National Feral Cat Day as a call to action to raise awareness about feral (or community) cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return, and empower and mobilize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them.

Community cats are the same species as pet cats, but they live outdoors and are unowned and not socialized to people. Through Trap-Neuter-Return, community cats are humanely trapped and brought to a veterinarian to be evaluated, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated. While under anesthesia, the cats are eartipped – a small portion of the left ear is painlessly removed for identification. After they recover from the sterilization surgery, they are returned to their outdoor home.

Trap-Neuter-Return is the only effective method of stabilizing cat colony populations. In the last decade, the number of local governments with official policies endorsing TNR has increased tenfold, with hundreds of cities and towns successfully carrying out TNR programs.

Follow all the activities for National Feral Cat Day on social media with the #feralcatday hashtag.

About Alley Cat AlliesAlley Cat Allies, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has more than 600,000 supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities and organizations save and improve the lives of millions of cats and kittens nationwide. Its website iswww.alleycat.org, and Alley Cat Allies is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube.

Halloween revelers prefer do-it-yourself costumes

Funny costumes were deemed the most popular type of costume this year, edging out iconic/classic and minimalist costumes, according to Goodwill's National Halloween Poll. Goodwill polled thousands of Americans by phone and in person to find out what's hot and what's not. The survey led to many surprising findings:

• Survey respondents preferred do-it-yourself costumes (51 percent) over packaged costumes (27 percent). The trend shows people are more interested in creating original looks or being creative and unique by blending accessories.
• There's a surge in popularity for group, family and couples costumes this year, especially among millennials. Of those planning to wear costumes, 19 percent will look for group, couple or family costumes and 31 percent of millennials plan to participate in those costumes this year.
• Goodwill customers like the idea of merging two or more traditional costumes to create unique looks. For example, a zombie-princess, pirate-cat or another merged creation. This reflects the trend toward do-it-yourself, creative and original costume designs. To determine your unique costume creation using your initials, visit Goodwill's Halloween costume generator.
• Respondents revealed what not to wear: They will avoid risqué/overly sexy costumes (60 percent) and political costumes (35 percent).

For the second year in a row, respondents deemed zombie, pirate and vampire costumes as the most popular choices.

Goodwill has more than 3,000 stores in the United States and Canada that are full of the items needed to create unique costumes on a budget. Shoppers can take pride in knowing that their purchases help people in their communities. Store revenues help Goodwill agencies fund job training programs and services, such as résumé assistance, career counseling, computer classes, financial education, transportation and many more. These services help people find jobs, earn paychecks and care for their families.

"Goodwill has everything you need to create a unique costume on a budget," said Evette Rios, lifestyle expert, television host and Goodwill spokesperson. "Find pieces at Goodwill to wear again, and then look for the right accessories to put together a unique Halloween look. If you don't find what you're looking for, come back, because Goodwill stores get new items each day."

Goodwill's Halloween website is a one-stop shop, with a costume generator, makeup videos and a locator to find your nearest Goodwill store. Visit www.goodwill.org/halloween.

About the National Halloween Poll ORC International conducted a landline and cell phone survey of 1,012 respondents from September 24 – September 27, 2015. The margin of error was +/- 3.08 percent. Goodwill agencies conducted a separate in-store costume poll of more than 3,000 respondents at Goodwill stores in Washington, California, Nevada, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Florida from September 23 ­– October 1, 2015.

Americans Stay Sweet on Halloween by Embracing Moderation

The trick to enjoying your favorite Halloween treats? Moderation, according to the results of the National Confectioners Association's (NCA) new national survey. As the holiday approaches, nearly 80 percent of parents report that they have a plan in place to help their children make smart decisions when it comes to the enjoyment of treats. More than three-quarters of Americans will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters this year and many others will participate in community-sponsored Halloween events, display a seasonal candy bowl or attend a Halloween party. NCA projects that retail sales of Halloween candy in 2015 will be $2.6 billion, a boost to the U.S. economy that helps support 55,000 manufacturing jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs in related industries.  

"People understand that candy is a treat, and this year's survey tells us that they are celebrating Halloween in more ways than ever and practicing moderation," said Alison Bodor, executive vice president of the National Confectioners Association. "Parents, including me, are embracing Halloween celebrations and traditions, but we're also using the holiday as an opportunity to teach our children how to enjoy candy as a fun part of a balanced lifestyle."

Bodor added that the U.S. confectionery industry supports 465,000 American jobs. "From our industry's own manufacturers to the jobs we help support on the farms where our ingredients are grown and in the stores where our products are sold, candy makers are supporting good-paying jobs in this country. Confectioners are vital to the economic success of their communities – at Halloween and year round."  

According to NCA's seasonal survey, more than 90 percent of parents discuss or plan to discuss balance and moderation with their children relative to their candy consumption, and while most report having these conversations year-round, many use the holiday as a starting point.

Those who stay home to hand out candy also recognize the importance of balance and moderation. More than 60 percent of respondents prefer to hand candy to trick-or-treaters, rather than having the ghosts and goblins help themselves, and nearly 60 percent of those surveyed believe that up to two pieces is just the right amount per household.

Halloween Is Meant For Sharing    Halloween continues to be the top candy-giving holiday with 86 percent of people gifting or sharing chocolate or other candy. Seven in 10 people believe that holidays like Halloween are meant for enjoying candy, and that it is important to do so in moderation. Parents support the notion that sharing is a critical piece of the Halloween celebration – a full 80 percent report that they enjoy some of their children's Halloween bounty by either sneaking it when the kids aren't looking (23 percent) or by instituting a house rule that it must be shared (57 percent).

Candy Is Always A Treat   NCA's survey revealed that 81 percent of Americans support the notion that candy is a treat and 75 percent agree that it is okay to enjoy seasonal chocolate or candy. Almost 20 percent of consumers say they are more likely to buy seasonal candy in smaller portion sizes than they were five years ago.

Everyone Has A Favorite Americans love chocolate year-round, and Halloween is no exception. A full 70 percent of people say chocolate is their favoriteHalloween treat, followed by candy corn (13 percent), chewy candy (6 percent) and gummy candy (5 percent). Despite chocolate's popularity, most Americans (63 percent) say they stock their trick-or-treat candy bowls with a mix of chocolate and non-chocolate, so that they can be sure to have something everyone will like. When it comes to selecting candies in shapes like spiders, eyeballs and brains to inspire seasonal celebrations, parents are 24 percent more likely than non-parents to pick creepy candy over otherHalloween themes.

Keeping An Eye On The Candy StashNearly four in five parents (79 percent) encourage moderation by keeping tabs on their children's candy consumption followingHalloween, but they take different approaches. Some limit their children to a certain number of pieces per day (35 percent), a total number of pieces overall (14 percent), or a general amount of calories (9 percent) and then take the rest away. Twenty-one percent opt to take responsibility for the candy and dole it out as appropriate. NCA supported research at Pennsylvania State University to help parents learn practices that promote balance and moderation with treats in their homes. As part of that research, a scientificliterature review published recently in the Journal of Pediatric Obesity concluded that simply restricting or forbidding children from having snack foods or other treats, like candy, is not an effective approach to helping them learn how to consume these foods in moderation.

For more sweet information on candy, Halloween and moderation, visit www.candyUSA.com or follow NCA on Twitter and Instagram (@CandyUSA) or on Facebook (National Confectioners Association).

National Grandparents Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday after Labor Day. In recognition of the holiday, which falls this year on Sept. 13, Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academies, a national early childhood education franchise with three decades of experience, is sharing ideas to help make National Grandparents Day a meaningful time for families. It is important for parents to help their children understand the special role of grandparents in the family; a great way can be through fun, light-hearted activities that show gratitude and appreciation.

1. Stay in Touch. Carve some time out of jam-packed school and work schedules to give Grandparents a call on National Grandparents Day, especially if they don't live nearby. Encourage your kids to tell Grandma and Grandpa why they love them. Inspire them to ask questions. We have much to learn from our grandparents and their unique childhoods. There's also much we can share with them about our youth. Schedule regular phone calls to help your child establish a strong bond. Grandparents encourage a child's healthy development, and staying in touch can benefit kids in many ways.
2. Record a Personalized Video or Voice Note. Today, technology has made it easier than ever to capture and share the moments we love. Grab a smartphone or iPad, and document a few minutes of your child explaining why he or she finds Grandma and Grandpa special. Kids can often put on a show for the camera, so if you are looking for a more genuine response, don't mention you are filming. Every grandchild has his or her own special qualities worth capturing for posterity. Share these moments with Grandparents on National Grandparents Day or the next time the family is together.  
3. Share a Gift. Though not expected, gifts for grandparents are a heartfelt gesture. They can be as simple and inexpensive as a favorite flower, a handwritten letter or a small collage. Suggest ideas to your child and see what he or she comes up with. Grandma and Grandpa will appreciate the effort and love that goes into these special keepsakes.
4. Bake a Treat. Grandparents are grateful for the time they get to spend with their grandchildren. Baking yummy treats are a fun project everyone can be a part of. Hold a baking day for your child and parents. Kids can practice planning, preparing and serving their goodies while spending quality time with family.
5. Check in with your Local School. Kids 'R' Kids is encouraging parents and Grandparents to check in with their child's school in advance of National Grandparents Day. Many schools are hosting fun-filled activities that children and grandparents can enjoy together. Give your school a call to find out what they are doing.

Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academies have begun fall enrollment at their nearly 160 schools nationwide. With a nationally awarded curriculum, Kids 'R' Kids provides early education and care for children from six weeks through 12 years of age at its nearly 160 schools located in 16 states across the country. Programs offered to children include infant care, toddler and preschool care, private pre-K and kindergarten, before-and-afterschool care and summer camp. In order to provide even more convenience for families with busy schedules, every Kids 'R' Kids academy remains open during all major school breaks and holidays year-round.

Kids 'R' Kids was the first preschool accredited by AdvancED in America, the world's largest education community. This accreditation ensures its schools are meeting and exceeding the highest accreditation standards and providing excellence in education beyond most daycare and childcare providers.

Play: It's Not Just Fun and Games

 As children head back to school, the time set aside for play seems to disappear. According to a survey conducted by Dr Pepper Snapple Group's Let's Play initiative, 56 percent of parents say busy schedules are a major barrier to play.

Play is an important part of a child's physical, emotional and social development. In fact, kids who play are found to be healthier, happier and better performers in school. As children's schedules become packed with activities during the school year, it is important to make sure they are getting enough active playtime each day to help them grow into happy, healthy adults.

Here are some reasons to keep kids active during the school year:

Play promotes social skills. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just more than a quarter of students surveyed participated in daily physical education classes. Kids have fewer opportunities to be active during the school day, so it is important to supplement their schedules with after-school activities or sports throughout the year. Team sports are a great opportunity for children to foster friendships and connect with kids from different backgrounds. Keeping your children active through sports gives them the opportunity to maintain a physically active lifestyle while also making new friends.

Play heightens intellectual development. Education in the classroom allows children to learn and grow; however, physical activity outside of the classroom is also important for a child's development. Studies show that physical play has been linked to helping kids think creatively and create connections with others through the process of sharing, negotiating and resolving conflicts. Such skills are vital for a child to learn and can be easily taught through active play.

Play enhances motor skills. Playgrounds serve as a great space for kids to explore and have fun in a safe environment while challenging and refining their motor skills. Interacting with play equipment helps build motor skills and improves self-control and coordination.

Play relieves stress. As kids get older, schoolwork becomes increasingly difficult and stress levels about the workload begin to rise. In fact, 46 percent of parents polled in the Let's Play survey said that a focus on academics was one of their kids' biggest barriers to play. While academics should always be a priority, giving kids the opportunity and time to play can relieve the stress associated with school and allow them to simply have fun. 

You can learn more about the importance of play and get tips and advice on how to incorporate active play in your child's everyday life at LetsPlay.com, where you can also nominate a community group, nonprofit or school to receive a new playground or sports equipment grant courtesy of Let's Play.

Two Working Parents Means More Grandparents Moving to Help with Childcare

Forget warmer climates … more Baby Boomers are retiring near their adult children to help care for grandchildren.

According to the Mayflower Movers Insights study, one in four U.S. adults with children are more willing to move closer to their adult children now compared to one year ago. And, half of Americans believe that Boomers are more needed in the same town as their children and grandchildren than they were five years ago.

"Every day our Mayflower agents across the country are moving hundreds of families to their new homes, and many agents report that they're seeing more Boomers move to be near their children and grandchildren," said Melissa Sullivan, director, marketing communications, Mayflower. "This survey data supports the trend that our agents are seeing in the field, and helps us not only analyze where our customers move, but understand the reasons why."

Forty percent of survey respondents said their friends and family members age 50 or older have moved in the last year to be closer to their children and grandchildren in order to provide care for grandchildren. Additionally, one in five Americans said their friends and family members moved because their children needed additional help with their kids because both parents work. This new data complements the results of a 2013 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, which found that 59.1 percent of all U.S. families with children under the age of 18 had two working parents.

"Both my son and daughter-in-law work full-time and neither wanted to leave their jobs when my granddaughter was born, but they also didn't want to spend a fortune on daycare," said Wanda Dobson, a Mayflower customer who recently relocated from Rolla, Mo. toSt. Louis to be near family and provide support with childcare. "I wanted to be able to see my grandkids grow up so I decided to move to St. Louis to help care for the baby while mom and dad are at work."

"Family dynamics have shifted dramatically over the last 50 years, largely due to the increasing number of families with two working parents, high rate of divorce, large number of cohabiting couples and single parents," said Dr. Philip Cohen, a professor of sociology at the University of Maryland who studies household and family structure. "All of these factors have led to an increased need for childcare across the U.S. and therefore an increased reliance on grandparents for support."

The Boomerang Effect – Once Fleeing the Coop, Millennials are Returning HomeThe Mayflower Movers Insights study also found that one in four U.S Millennials (age 18 to 34) have moved back to their hometown in the past five years. When asked why they're moving home, 68 percent of Millennial respondents cited that they wished to be closer to family, friends and significant others. An additional 18 percent said they were moving to help care for family members.

"After college, my husband and I moved to Los Angeles to start our careers," said Ashley Luther, a Mayflower customer. "But when we wanted to buy a house, we decided to move back to our hometown of St. Louis because it offers a much more affordable cost of living and allows us to be closer to family as we settle down and think about having children."

Ashley and her husband are not alone in following this logic. One-third of U.S. Millennials who do not currently live in their hometown would consider moving to their hometown at some point in their life. The top three reasons for considering a move are to be closer to family, friends and significant others (67 percent), to care for family (29 percent) and to settle down and start a family (17 percent). 

"Boomers had fewer children than previous generations, and therefore had more time to devote to nurturing their relationships with their kids. These stronger relationships probably are a big factor that is drawing Millennials back to live in their hometown near their parents," added Dr. Cohen. "Many of these Millennials appear to be moving back to their hometowns to receive help from their parents with childcare, but there's also a large number who are returning to provide care for their aging parents." 

Mayflower, America's most recognized and trusted moving company, moves an average of 60,000 families each year and has 300 agents across the country. Read Mayflower's moving tips to learn how to save time and money and avoid moving scams.

Survey Background and MethodologyRespondents to the survey were selected from Research Now's consumer panel to reflect a general distribution of the consumer population, ages 18 years and older. Respondents were also selected by regional geographic distribution (South, West, Northeast, Midwest) to reflect U.S. demographics. Without knowledge of Mayflower's sponsorship, 1,000 general U.S. adult population respondents completed the survey. Age/generation groups were assigned using the following criteria: Millennial: age 18-34; Gen X: age 35-49; Boomer: age 50-64; Pre-Boomer: age 65+. Additional samples were collected for Millennial and Boomer generational groups to ensure adequate sample sizes for questions specifically addressed to those groups. These responses were weighted to reflect standard U.S. distribution of age groups. For these (Millennial and Boomer) an additional 200 responses were collected for each group, resulting in a total of 1,400 total respondents.

U.S. Census Bureau Facts Older Americans Month

A meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens resulted in President John F. Kennedy designating May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation to pay tribute to older people across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter's proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through ceremonies, events and public recognition.

44.7 million The number of people who were 65 and older in the United States on July 1, 2013. This group accounted for 14.5 percent of the total population.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates
http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2013/PEPAGESEX

98.2 million Projected population of people 65 and older in 2060. People in this age group would comprise just over one in five U.S. residents at that time. Of this number, 19.7 million would be 85 or older.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Projections, Table 3http://www.census.gov/population/projections/data/national/2014/summarytables.html

2.4 millionProjected number of baby boomers in 2060. At that time, the youngest baby boomers would be 96 years old.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Projections http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb12-243.html

2056The year in which, for the first time, the population 65 and older would outnumber people younger than 18 in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Projections http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb12-243.html

Income and Poverty

$35,611The 2013 median income of households with householders 65 and older, not significantly different from the previous year.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2013, Table 1
http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/demo/p60-249.pdf

9.5%The percent of people 65 and older (4.2 million) who were in poverty in 2013. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States:  2013, Table 3http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/demo/p60-249.pdf

$170,516Median net worth for householders 65 and older in 2011, down from $203,015 (in 2011 dollars) in 2005.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Net Worth and Asset Ownership of Households: 2011 http://www.census.gov/people/wealth

14.6% Percent supplemental poverty rate for those 65 and older, equating to 6.5 million people. Excluding Social Security would leave the majority of this population (14.2 percent or 44.5 million) in poverty.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Reports, Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2013
http://census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/demo/p60-251.pdf

Serving Our Nation

9.3 million Estimated number of people 65 and older who were veterans of the armed forces in 2013.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

Jobs

12.6% Labor force participation rate for men 65 and older in 2013, down from 17.6 percent in 1990 and significantly less than the rate for women 65 and older at 15.6 percent (8.4 percent in 1990).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey Table B23001
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

4.9 millionNumber of full-time, year-round workers 65 and older with earnings in 2012, up from 1.5 million in 1993. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Historical Income Tables: People, Table P-32
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/historical/people/

Education

83.6%Proportion of people 65 and older in 2014 who had completed high school or higher education.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Educational Attainment in the United States: 2014, Table 1 All Raceshttp://www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/cps/2014/tables.html

26.3%Percentage of the population 65 and older in 2014 who had earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Educational Attainment in the United States: 2014, Table 1 All Raceshttp://www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/cps/2014/tables.html

Marital Status and Living Arrangements

58.3% Percentage of people 65 and older who were married in 2014.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements, Table A1 http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2014A.html

11.3%Percentage of people 65 and older in 2014 who were widowed.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements, Table A1
http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2014A.html

Computer and Internet Use

71%The percentage of those 65 and older who reported living in homes with computers in 2013. Additionally, 62.4 percent accessed the Internet through a high-speed Internet connection.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Computer and Internet Use, Table 2
http://census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/acs/acs-28.pdf

Voting

69.8%Percentage for those 65 and older who reported casting a ballot in the 2012 presidential election. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2012, Table 2
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/publications/p20/2012/tables.html

Homeownership

79.5% Percentage of householders 65 and older who owned their homes as of fourth quarter 2014.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey, Table 7
http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/q414ind.html

Services for the Older Population

25,899
Number of business establishments providing services for the elderly and people with disabilities in 2012. These businesses employed 911,331 workers and generated $34.4 billion in revenues. In 2007, there were 20,433 such establishments, employing 621,545 and producing $25.3 billion in revenues. Senior citizens centers are among the establishments in this industry.
Source: 2012 and 2007 Economic Census Industry Series (NAICS 624120)

4,792Number of continuing care retirement communities in 2012. These businesses employed 426,109 workers and generated $27.7 billion in revenues. In 2007, there were 5,939 such establishments, employing 442,219 people and producing $26.0 billion in revenues. These establishments provide a range of residential and personal care services with on-site nursing care facilities for older people who do not desire to live independently. Individuals live in a variety of residential settings with meals, housekeeping, social, leisure and other services available to assist residents in daily living.
Source: 2012 and 2007 Economic Census Industry Series (NAICS 623311)

On the Map

17.8%Percentage of Florida's population that was 65 and older in 2013, followed by Maine (16.5 percent) and West Virginia (16.5 percent).Alaska had the lowest percentage (8.2 percent), followed by Utah (9.3 percent) and Texas (10.7 percent). Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_5YR_S0103&prodType=table

51.6%Percentage of the population in Sumter County, Fla., that was 65 and older in 2013, which led the nation. Chattahoochee County, Ga.(3.8 percent) had the lowest percentage.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/cb14-118.html

114,350The estimated July 1, 2014, population of The Villages, Fla., metro area. The Villages, located to the west of the Orlando metro area, was the nation's fastest-growing metro area between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014, with its population increasing by 5.4 percent. The metro area is home to one of the largest age-restricted retirement communities in the world.
Source: 2014 metro area population estimates
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2015/20150326_popestimates.html

Centenarians

54,956The number of people age 100 and older counted by the 2010 Census.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, The Centenarian Population: 2007-2011 Table 1
http://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/acsbr12-18.pdf

20.7For every 100 centenarian women, the number of centenarian men in 2010.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, The Older Population: 2010
http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-09.pdf

43.5%In 2010, percentage of centenarian men who lived with others in a household, the most common living arrangement for this group. For their female counterparts, the most common living arrangement was residing in a nursing home (35.2 percent).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Centenarians: 2010
http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/reports/c2010sr-03.pdf

3.29Number of centenarians per 10,000 people in North Dakota in 2010. North Dakota was the only state with more than three centenarians per 10,000 people.