Economic Insecurity Among Older Adults of Color -- Housing and Health as Cause and Effect

Описание: Escalating medical and housing costs are putting economic security out of reach for many older adults, particularly those of color, Associate Center Director Steven P. Wallace said in the Center’s March 26 Health Policy Seminar.

Using the Elder Index TM and other sources, Wallace presented statewide and county-specific data that showed many older Californians in need of aid don’t qualify for it because of outdated federal poverty measures. Government agencies can alleviate elders’ economic insecurity and improve their health by increasing income, access to Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans and supply of affordable housing, Wallace said.

The Elder Index™ is a tool that is a more accurate gauge of poverty among older adults because it measures regional differences in the cost of basic necessities for older adults in each of California’s 58 counties.
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