The Baker-Polito Administration announced that approximately 550,000 Massachusetts households who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see an increase starting in their October 2022 benefits. In response to the annual cost of living adjustment, SNAP benefits will increase 12%, with Massachusetts households receiving an average monthly increase of $25-$30. Continue reading
Tag Archives: elder economic security
NORC Report: Many Middle-Income Seniors Will Not Be Able to Pay for Long-Term Care and Housing in 10 Years
A new NORC analysis updating the groundbreaking “Forgotten Middle” study finds that there will be 16 million middle-income seniors in 2033, many of whom will struggle to pay for the health, personal care, and housing services that they need. For instance, excluding home equity, nearly three-quarters of middle-income seniors in 2033 will have insufficient financial resources to pay for assisted living, if they need and want it. Even with home equity, nearly 40% will not be able to afford assisted living. Continue reading
How the State Legislature’s $52.7 Billion Budget Supports Older Adults
Last week, the Massachusetts legislature passed a $52.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). Here are some of the items that support older adults and healthy aging: Continue reading
AARP Reports on Highest Level of Age Discrimination Since Tracking Began in 2003
An AARP survey of workers ages 40–65 who were in the workforce or recently exited the workforce as a result of COVID-19 found that 78% say they have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace, the highest level since AARP began tracking this question in 2003. Continue reading
Pew Research Center Examines Reasons U.S. Adults Live in Multigenerational Households
With a combination of Census and survey data, Pew Research Center examined the experiences of multigenerational households, including who lives in these types of arrangements and why they do so.
According to the report resulting from that analysis, census data from 1971-2021 shows the number of people living in multigenerational family households quadrupled over that time, reaching 59.7 million in March 2021. The share more than doubled as well, to 18% of the U.S. population. Continue reading
Help Raise Awareness of Child Tax Credit Eligibility for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is working to raise awareness of the Child Tax Credit and, of specific interest to the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative network, the eligibility of grandparents raising grandchildren.
A one-page flier has been developed for stakeholders to raise awareness among grandparents who are legal guardians, which is available here.
AARP Survey Reveals Experience with Fraud Among Older Adults, Caregivers
In a recent short survey conducted between January 20-24, 2022, AARP asked adults 50 and older and family caregivers about their experiences losing money to a scam. The basis for the survey comes from AARP’s recent National Fraud Frontiers report, which reported
nine in 10 Americans (229 million people) experienced a fraud attempt in the past year, with one in seven (33 million people) losing money as a result. Continue reading
Resources for ‘Consumer Protection Week’ Promoted by National Center on Law and Elder Rights
In recognizing National Consumer Protection Week as a time to help people understand their consumer rights and avoid frauds and scams, the National Center on Law and Elder Rights is promoting a collection of resources to support older adults. Continue reading
LTSS Center at UMass-Boston Report Focuses on Impact of Climate Change on Older Adults
A new research report from the LTSS Center @UMass-Boston outlines how community stakeholders can help older adults better prepare for and recover from climate change-related emergencies. Continue reading
Age-and Dementia Friendly Springfield Release Study on Healthy Aging with a Criminal Record
Led by the Public Health Institute of Western Mass., with an expert advisory group and supported by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and the Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds, a new study reveals the barriers to housing and healthy aging for older adults with a criminal history.
The research builds off the Springfield Age Friendly City housing assessment in 2019, which found that older Black men in Springfield had a shared experience of not being able to secure affordable housing because of CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) checks. Continue reading