Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.Johns Hopkins researchers found isolated older adults have a 28 percent greater risk of developing dementia than do their counterparts who are not socially isolated. Continue reading
Category Archives: Data and Reports
New AARP Report: Understanding a Changing Older Workforce
Nearly all older workers seek and choose employment with meaning, according to a new report from AARP, but the COVID-19 pandemic made people realize the importance of a better work-life balance – more so than doing work that is meaningful.
The report, called “Understanding a Changing Older Workforce: An Examination of Workers Ages 40-Plus,” seeks to understand older workers’ reasons for working, perceptions of job security, differential treatment due to age, ideal work scenario, and plans for retirement in the wake of “the great resignation” and in an era of record low unemployment.
Lessons for Enhancing Service Coordination in HUD-Assisted Senior Housing Communities
A new research brief from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston offers a wide range of lessons to help housing communities implement a service coordination model developed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in which the “role of the service coordinator has evolved to a more proactive level of coordination, engagement, outreach, assistance, and case management.” Continue reading
New Index from PHI Ranks States on Direct Care Workforce Policy Supports
A new online tool is available to help policymakers, advocates, and other leaders in various states understand how they support direct care workers, where they can improve, and how they compare to other states.
Created and led by PHI, the Direct Care Workforce State Index offers an interactive, data-driven picture of how states’ public policies support direct care workers and how these workers are faring financially. Continue reading
US HHS Emphasizes Addressing Disparities and Risk Reduction for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the annual release of the Department’s National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease: 2022 Update – PDF. Through the National Plan, HHS and its federal partners work to improve the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research, support people living with dementia and their caregivers, and encourage action to reduce risk factors. Continue reading
Coalition of Housing Advocacy Orgs Release “A Right to Rental Assistance in Massachusetts” Paper
A coalition of housing advocacy organizations, including many partners of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, released a paper called “A Right to Rental Assistance in Massachusetts: How Policy Change Can Advance Equitable Housing.” Continue reading
National Poll on Healthy Aging Examines Religious, Spiritual Beliefs and Healthcare
The latest analysis from the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan found that, among adults age 50–80 with important religious or spiritual beliefs, 70% reported feeling comfortable discussing their beliefs with their health care providers, however, only 28% wanted their health care providers to ask about their beliefs.
Overall, most adults age 50–80 (84%) said that religious and/or spiritual beliefs are important to them, with 71% reporting their religious beliefs are important to them (45% very important, 26% somewhat important), and 80% stating their spiritual beliefs are important to them (50% very important, 30% somewhat important). Continue reading
ACL Releases Annual ‘Profile of Older Americans’
The Administration on Community Living (ACL) recently released the Profile of Older Americans, which is an annual summary of critical statistics related to the older population in the United States.
Relying primarily on data offered by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Profile illustrates the shifting demographics of Americans age 65 and older. It includes key topic areas such as income, living arrangements, education, and health. The 2021 Profile includes a special section on family caregiving. Continue reading
“State of Grandfamilies 2022” Report Reveals Households Led by Grandparents Experience Food Insecurity at Twice the National Rate
According to the “State of Grandfamilies 2022” report released by Generations United, the 2.5 million children in the United States growing up in “grandfamilies” face higher rates of hunger and food insecurity than their peers.
Grandfamilies are families in which children are being raised by relatives – grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or close friends – without their parents in the home. In fact, 25 percent of grandparent-headed households experienced food insecurity between 2019 and 2020. That is more than twice the national rate. Food insecurity negatively impacts a child’s ability to learn and grow and has long-term health implications. Continue reading
AARP Examines Walking Attitudes and Habits of Adults Age 50 and Older
More than half (55%) of adults 50-plus engage in one or two walking activities in a typical week, while most (86%) walk for 10 minutes or more, and nearly half (47%) walk for at least 30 minutes, according to a survey report supported by AARP
Most respondents agree walking is beneficial for improving physical health (91%), fitness (83%), mental health (75%), and brain health (59%). Continue reading