News
Elder Index Offers Economic Security Data for Planning, Advocacy
- By: USAging
- On: 11/22/2019 10:32:01
- In: Hot Topics in Aging
This week, the Gerontology Institute of the University of Massachusetts Boston released new tools that can help n4a members and other advocates show what it takes to live in economic security in later years. The new Elder Index's easy-to-access data on the costs of living for older adults can be run based on county or state.
Released in conjunction with the Elder Index reboot, Living Below the Line: Economic Insecurity and Older Americans, Insecurity in the States 2019 includes estimates based on Elder Index TM data suggesting that half of older adults living alone, and 23 percent of older adults living in two-member households, lack the financial resources required to pay for basic needs.
“The new Elder Index can be easily used by n4a members to get critical data to support their work, whether that's planning, outreach or advocacy,” said Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs. “We know that the prior Elder Index was used successfully by AAAs in many states, and that some continue to use this measure of elder economic security, as one important piece of our collective mission to support aging at home and in the community. n4a members need to know what it takes to be economically secure at a minimum, and who in their communities may need additional support.”
“We've cheered on our friends at UMASS Boston as they geared up for this roll-out and hope all n4a members will take the time to check out the Index—and think about how they and their networks can use this data to advance the interests of older adults across the country,” she continued.
Are you already using the Elder Index in your PSA or state? Tell us. We'd like to be able to showcase your work to your peers!