Gerontology Commons^™

Nonfinancial Factors Shape Food Insecurity Among U.S. Older Adults, Madonna Harrington Meyer, Colleen M. Heflin

Population Health Research Brief Series

Nonfinancial factors such as poor physical and mental health, lack of access to healthy food, and transportation challenges make it more difficult for older adults to obtain, prepare, and consume healthy food. Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes how nonfinancial factors function as both causes and consequences of food insecurity in old age.

Budget Tradeoffs Shape Food Insecurity Among U.S. Older Adults, Madonna Harrington Meyer, Colleen M. Heflin

Population Health Research Brief Series

For low-income older adults, it may be difficult to meet basic needs on a fixed monthly income. Stretching resources can be difficult, especially if unexpected expenses arise, leading many older adults to face difficult budget tradeoffs. Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes how budget tradeoffs between food and other essential expenses—housing, utilities, medical care, transportation, and personal and cleaning supplies—shape food insecurity among older adults.

Policy Recommendations To Reduce Old Age Food Insecurity In The United States, Colleen M. Heflin, Madonna Harrington Meyer

Center for Policy Research

In 2023, 7.4 million adults ages 60 and over in the United States were food insecure. As the number of older people at risk of food insecurity in the U.S. continues to rise, effective policy responses are critical. The current policy responses to old age food insecurity are complex, costly, and not nearly effective enough.

Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes five policy recommendations to improve food insecurity among U.S. older adults. The authors recommend measuring food security in multidimensional ways, treating food insecurity as a health issue, adopting SNAP …

How Is Food Insecurity Measured In The United States And What Share Of Older Adults Are Food Insecure?, Colleen M. Heflin, Madonna Harrington Meyer

Population Health Research Brief Series

The U.S. Department of Agriculture measures food insecurity based on whether households had problems affording food during the last twelve months. Based on the current definition, in 2023 9.2% of households with adults ages 60 and older were food insecure. But there are many problems with the existing definition for accurately capturing food insecurity among older adults.

Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes those limitations, noting that existing measures do not account for barriers that are common among older adults, such as mobility, physical distance, and transportation barriers.

Age & Dementia Friendly Bellingham: Assessment Of Community Needs And Ideas For Action, Caitlin E. Coyle, Katherine Burnes, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

In 2022 a steering committee of three Bellingham residents involved in the COA/Senior Center served as a catalyst in helping Bellingham attain the designation of Age and Dementia Friendly. A Task Force including an impressive mix of individuals from town government, schools, local organizations and older residents was formed to help Bellingham set and implement annual goals of activities designed to make Bellingham a good place to grow older for all residents.

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston on behalf of …

Older Adults And Financial Exploitation, Aaron Li, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

The National Adult Protective Services Association defines elder financial exploitation as misuse, mishandling, or exploitation of an older adult’s property, possession, or assets. These actions often occur without consent and are typically carried out through false pretense, undue influence, coercion, or manipulation.

Supporting Employed Informal Caregivers, Michele Dinman, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

More than 53 million Americans are informal caregivers. These family members, friends, and acquaintances provide social, medical, transportation, and other support to individuals because of illness or disability without getting paid. Additionally, at least 2 million grandparents, not counting other kinship caregivers, provide care for children who cannot remain with their parents.1

How Do Self-Employment Rates Change Across The Lifespan?, Cal J. Halvorsen, Bruna C. Lopez

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

People pursue self-employment for a variety of reasons, including autonomy, the ability to pursue their own goals, and income. Yet for many older people who are not yet eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, which can begin at age 62, or Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program that generally begins at age 65, self-employment is also associated with less health insurance and retirement savings program coverage. 1,2 3,4

This research brief asks, What is the proportion of Americans who are self-employed, and how do these rates change throughout the life course?

Ageism In Employment, Aaron Li, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

The World Health Organization defines ageism as stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination directed at individuals based on their age. As people remain in the labor force longer, they are increasingly exposed to ageist attitudes and discrimination. Ageism often manifests through negative assumptions about older workers’ abilities, adaptability, and value in the workplace. Older workers are frequently perceived as less competent, resistant to new technology, inflexible, or physically and mentally less capable.

Mental Health Challenges In Later Life, Sophie Mauk, Michele Dinman, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

Although older adults are less likely to be diagnosed with mental health challenges than younger adults, Americans over the age of 65 have experienced the greatest growth in new diagnoses — an increase of 57% between 2019 and 2023. By 2023, about 1 in 7 adults age 51 and older had received mental health diagnoses, including major depressive, generalized anxiety, adjustment, bipolar, and mood disorders. However, older adults are less likely to receive treatment than younger people. At the same time, older adults may also misuse substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription and nonprescription medications. Americans age 75 …

Prevalence Of Depression, Anxiety, Burden, Burnout, And Stress In Informal Caregivers: An Umbrella Review Of Meta-Analyses, Xun Ci Soh, Andree Hartanto, Naoki Ling, Mayr Reyes, Lester Sim, Nadyanna M. Majeed

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Informal caregiving is a physically and emotionally taxing role that has a profound impact on caregivers’ emotional and mental well-being. Previous research has examined the mental health of caregivers and found elevated levels of depression, anxiety, burden, burnout, or stress. However, the global rates of the five mental health factors and/or outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, burden, burnout, and stress) among caregivers remain largely unclear. Therefore, this umbrella review examines the prevalence of these factors and/or outcomes, including various subgroup factors, such as gender, medical and/or psychological condition of the care recipient, region, and assessment tools. A systematic search was conducted …

The Gendered Role Of Friendships For Advanced Care Planning And Health In Later Life, Zee Kee Emily Lim

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Friendship is becoming more pertinent to older adults because they are increasingly living with fewer family ties in later life due to changing social and demographic trends (Fiori et al., 2020; Verdery et al., 2019). However, friendships are not as extensively studied as compared to family relationships (Blieszner et al., 2019). Thus, additional research is needed to better understand the influence of friendships on health and health behaviors in later life.

This dissertation includes three studies that focus on the association between friendship and loneliness, advanced care planning, and cognitive function, examining the role of gender in these three studies, …

Perceived Obligations Of Older Partners In Living-Apart Together Relationships, Allison M. Martin

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Older and middle-aged adults are increasingly in Living-Apart-Together (LAT) relationships characterized by committed romantic relationships without marriage and cohabitation. Because of assumptions that older adults will receive family caregiving as they grow older and need caregiving, it is not clear how people are likely to perceive obligations to provide caregiving assistance. As adults move into old age and incidence rates of Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia (ADRD) increase, questions about the availability of family members to provide needed assistance are complicated by LAT relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine perceived obligations to provide assistance to older adults …

Understanding The Physical Health Associations Of Intra-Individual Variability In Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults, Frosch Y. X. Quek, Kenneth Tan, David Chan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

It is well established that inter-individual differences in life satisfaction positively predict health, but it is less clear how intra-individual variability in life satisfaction across time could influence health, particularly across individuals with different satisfaction levels. To address this gap, we analysed a large panel dataset from a national sample of 8,674 older adults, aged 50–70 (M = 59, SD = 5.42) in Singapore who completed surveys over 53 consecutive months. Results from multi-level modelling showed an interaction between variability in life satisfaction and life satisfaction mean on physical health. Specifically, there was no association between variability and health among …

More Schooling Can Delay The Onset Of Dementia Later In Life, Vikesh Amin, Jere R. Behrman, Jason M. Fletcher, Carlos A. Flores, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes, Iliana Kohler, Hans-Peter Kohler, Shana D. Stites

Employment Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Sociology: Socialization, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper offers a comprehensive examination of socialization and identity development through a comparative lens, focusing on American, Chinese, and Japanese cultures. It explores how distinct cultural values—individualism, loyalty, and cooperation—shape personal and collective identities from childhood through old age. Utilizing the life course perspective, the analysis considers how factors such as generation, socioeconomic status, race, and gender influence the trajectory of human development. The evolution of childhood is traced across historical and cultural contexts, highlighting shifting perceptions, the impact of industrialization on children's roles, and the persistent influence of class and ethnicity on access to education and well-being. …

Introduction To Sociology: Sex And Gender, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper explores the complex interplay between sex and gender, focusing on how societal structures, historical contexts, and cultural norms shape gender roles and expectations. Drawing on the works of influential theorists such as Margaret Mead and researchers like Maccoby and Jacklin, the discussion distinguishes between biological sex differences and socially constructed gender distinctions. The analysis highlights the pervasive influence of gender socialization through agents such as family, peers, educational institutions, and media, which collectively reinforce stereotypes and stratify opportunities for individuals. The evolution of gender stratification is traced from the post-World War II era to the present, documenting …

Nursing Homes As Total Institutions: Applying The Concept Of Quality Control To Improve Patient Care, Josephine A. Ruggiero

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Sociology: Class And Stratification, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper explores the intricate dynamics of class, stratification, and social inequality, emphasizing the interplay of wealth, power, and prestige in shaping individual opportunities and societal outcomes. Drawing on foundational theories from Marxist and functionalist perspectives, it examines the mechanisms by which economic and social structures reinforce or challenge class divisions. The analysis extends to the evolution of American economic disparity, particularly during the transformative 1980s, and examines policies aimed at addressing poverty, such as those articulated by Sar Levitan and the implementation of the Social Security Act. Through a nuanced discussion of cultural capital, the role of …

舊樓長者居家安老面對的挑戰研究報告, Chak Kwan, Dickson Chan, Kui Wai, Gordon Chick, Silai Dong, Ka Chung, Tom Kwong, Ting Ting Wan, Meng Soi, Florence Fong, Kin Ho, William Li

APIAS Research Report 研究報告

現時香港有不少獨老及雙老生活在舊樓，由於單位和樓宇老化，出現樓宇及人口「雙老化」現象。此研究探討長者在這種狀況下，居家安老遇到的問題。研究團隊訪問了29名60歲以上，並居住於樓齡50年以上私人樓宇，探討他們之生活體驗。

本研究發現生活在舊樓的長者需要面對多種問題，包括沒有升降機、升降機經常出現故障、維修升降機時間長、樓宇老化失修、結構出現安全隱患、劏房環境惡劣、租客議價能力低、鄰居的關系薄弱、樓宇公用空間污穢和保安差。受訪長者家庭由於沒有能力購買較好的私人單位，又不符合資格申請公屋，他們只能忍受較差的居住環境。本研究還發現受訪的舊樓長者較少使用社區照顧服務，部分受訪者認為現時居住單位不適合居家安老，原因是缺乏電梯和維修保養差，出入十分困難。另外，有被訪租住長者表示租金貴，應付吃力。

根據訪問結果，研究團隊有數方面之建議：(1) 加強長者外展服務，(2) 資助樓梯機服務，(3) 公屋安置殘疾長者，(4) 調高綜援租金津貼，(5) 改善劏房長者居住環境和 (6) 加快鹹水樓維修工作。

A Quantitative Examination Of The Sexual Health Of Aging Black Men In Rural South Africa, Esihle Lupindo

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation uses survey data primarily from Wave 1 of the Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Study of In-depth Community in South Africa (HAALSI) which was collected in 2015 to study the sexual health of Black men in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa. Broadly speaking, I examine aging men’s sexual health as it related to HIV, well-being, loneliness, social networks and disclosure. The definition that I use for sexual health was coined by MacPhail and Campbell (2001) who define it as “not only sexual practices but also what people know and believe about sex, particularly what they think is natural, …

江門市「平安通」安老模式成效研究報告, 嶺南大學亞太老年學研究中心, 江門市恒愛社會工作綜合服務中心, Chak Kwan, Dickson Chan, Kui Wai, Gordon Chick, 雷杰, Silai Dong, Meng Soi, Florence Fong, Ka Chung, Tom Kwong

APIAS Research Report 研究報告

江門市是廣東省老齡化程度較高的城市。江門市政府於2015年通過購買服務，啟動江門市養老助殘平安通項目，該項目運用資訊科技，為有困難的長者群體提供各類服務，以幫助他們居家安老。本次研究旨在瞭解該項目的成效，和探索服務使用長者的感受。

本研究利用深度訪談 (indepth-interview) 的方法，於2024年1月訪問了40名年齡60歲以上的平安通服務使用者，瞭解他們使用平安通服務的原因、情況、感受和建議。

研究發現，長者申請平安通的原因主要是親人和社區人士介紹、求安心、煤氣優惠和覺得平安通服務有用。長者使用的服務種類主要包括：訂購煤氣、維修家電設備、天氣提醒、電話問候、聘請保姆、打掃清潔、預約叫車、預防緊急事故、緊急需要和落樓服務。

研究發現一些長者對平安通設備的使用不熟悉，認為設備不方便攜帶，以及使用有困難。亦有長者表示智慧AI監測裝置作用不大。在平安通服務評價方面，一些長者認為平安通提供的居家安老服務有助於長者居家養老，但另一些則認為提供的服務存在問題，例如轉介服務質量參差不齊，服務缺乏個性化設計。一些長者較少使用平安通服務，主要原因是不想麻煩他人、身體狀況較好而不需要和不瞭解平安通新增服務。長者希望從幾方面改進平安通，包括降低收費、完善資源轉介服務、優化和增加日常協助及居家養老服務，以及改善居家養老環境。

本研究提出幾方面點建議以改善和完善平安通項目：（1）優化平安通設備及手錶服務、（2）宣傳平安通的使用方法及服務、（3）完善長者資訊並定製服務、（4）增加服務站點和擴大服務覆蓋面、（5）降低轉介服務收費並提高質量、（6）改善居家養老環境及建設長者活動場所。

Letter To Congress From Harvey A. Friedman Center For Aging, June 24, 2025, Ernest Gonzales, Cal J. Halvorsen, Nancy Morrow-Howell

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

Letter to Members of Congress: We are gerontological social work researchers with expertise in productive aging; that is, activities that produce goods or services for society, whether paid for or not. We mainly focus on risk and protective factors to employment, caregiving, and volunteering in later life, and the many health, economic, and social outcomes.

Attached are peer reviewed scientific journal articles and policy briefs that underscore the importance of social policies that enable older adults to contribute to society through productive aging. In simple terms, increasing opportunities for older adults to remain productively engaged through work, volunteering, and caregiving …

More Schooling Can Delay The Onset Of Dementia Later In Life, Vikesh Amin, Jere R. Behrman, Jason M. Fletcher, Carlos A. Flores, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes, Iliana Kohler, Hans-Peter Kohler, Shana D. Stites

Upjohn Institute Policy and Research Briefs

No abstract provided.

Does Schooling Improve Cognitive Abilities At Older Ages? Causal Evidence From Nonparametric Bounds, Vikesh Amin, Jere R. Behrman, Jason M. Fletcher, Carlos A. Flores, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes, Hans-Peter Kohler

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

We revisit much-investigated relationships between schooling and health, focusing on schooling impacts on cognitive abilities at older ages using the Harmonized Cognition Assessment Protocol in the Health & Retirement Study (HRS) and a bounding approach that requires relatively weak assumptions. Our estimated upper bounds on the population average effects indicate potentially large causal effects of increasing schooling from primary to secondary; yet, these upper bounds are smaller than many estimates from the literature on causal schooling impacts on cognition using compulsory-schooling laws. We also cannot rule out small and null effects at this margin. We do, however, find evidence for …

Causal Effects Of Schooling On Memory At Older Ages In Six Low-And-Middle-Income Countries: Nonparametric Evidence With Harmonized Datasets, Vikesh Amin, Jere R. Behrman, Jason M. Fletcher, Carlos A. Flores, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes, Iliana Kohler, Hans-Peter Kohler, Shana D. Stites

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

Higher schooling attainment is associated with better cognitive function at older ages, but it remains unclear whether the relationship is causal. We estimate causal effects of schooling on performances on the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) word-recall (memory) test at older ages in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. We used harmonized data (n=30,896) on older adults (≥50 years) from the World Health Organization Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health. We applied an established nonparametric partialidentification approach that bounds causal effects of increasing schooling attainment at different parts of the schooling distributions under …

Aging In Harwich: A Community Needs Assessment, Claire E. Wickersham, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

At a time of such significant population aging, the Harwich Council on Aging commissioned a community-wide needs assessment with support from the Friends of the Harwich Council on Aging. The specific goal of this report is to support the strategic planning of the Harwich Council on Aging. An additional goal is to present information useful to other Harwich departments and organizations interacting with older residents planning for the future of Harwich. This report presents the results of a comprehensive examination of issues relating to aging in Harwich. Results presented here focus on the characteristics and needs of Harwich residents aged …

Trends In The Demographic And Well-Being Indicators Of The Singapore Life Panel Over The Past 9 Years, From 2016-2024, Rachel Wen Yi Ngu, Yi Wen Tan, Yue Qing Chew, Hanif Mohamed Yacob, Yan Er Tan

ROSA Research Briefs

The Singapore Life Panel® (SLP) has been tracking demographic and well-being indicators among older adults in Singapore for nearly a decade. This research brief presents the longitudinal trends observed in the SLP over a nine-year period (2016-2024), with the aim of identifying key shifts in these indicators and drawing attention to salient issues facing Singapore’s ageing population. The findings reveal notable demographic and well-being developments with significant implications for policy domains such as ageing-in-place, employment, and health. We highlight the following prominent trends: (i) a growing proportion of older adults living alone, accompanied by a steady decline in average household …

Mindfulness As A Buffer Against Death Anxiety: Implications For End-Of-Life Care, Chad Alexander

University Honors Theses

Death anxiety, defined as the distress associated with the awareness of mortality, has profound psychological and cultural impacts. Western societies often respond to death salience through avoidance and medicalization, reinforcing defensive strategies described by Terror Management Theory. This project aimed to investigate whether mindfulness can serve as a buffer against death anxiety. A structured literature review was conducted using PsycINFO, PubMed, the Portland State University Library, and Google Scholar between January 2025 and April 2025. One study found that mindfulness moderated the effects of death anxiety on health-related quality of life in people living with HIV. Two experiments linked mindfulness …

Awareness, Knowledge, And Motivations About Lifespan, Healthspan, And Healthy Longevity Medicine In The General Population: The Healthy Longevity (Helo) Conceptual Framework, Belinda Wang, Anna Szucs, Elena Sandalova, E. J. Horberg, Paul A. O'Keefe, Louis Island, Hans J. Meij, Sonny Rosenthal, Andrea B. Maier

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

The global population is ageing and the gap between lifespan (total years lived) and healthspan (years lived free of diseases) is increasing. Healthy Longevity Medicine (HLM) is an approach to optimise health and healthspan, and it has substantial public health implications. Despite those implications, the understanding of public perspectives on this field is lacking. The HEalthy LOngevity (HELO) framework was developed through a literature review guided by expert discussions across disciplines to include evidence-based concepts of health-related decision-making, ageing, and HLM. The framework organises concepts into three components. The first two components, awareness and knowledge, explore public perception and understanding …