UMASS BOSTON GERONTOLOGY NEWS | |
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LTSS Center leading California project on care needs of "overlooked middle" | |
The California Department of Aging awarded a three-year, $4.3 million contract to the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Bostonâthrough the centerâs partner, Community Catalystâto study policy opportunities to address the affordability of long-term services and supports. The project, the largest single contract awarded to the LTSS Center since its creation in 2017, has the potential to address a challenge that reaches far beyond California: How to help the âoverlooked middleââAmericans who have too much income to qualify for Medicaidâs safety net programs but not enough to afford long-term careâpay for eventual nursing home or in-home care. | |
Photo illustration courtesy National Council on Aging | |
From poverty to adequacy: How the Elder Index is changing the conversation around older adults' financial securityï»ż | |
Since its inception in 2006, the Elder Indexâą has served as a powerful tool for elected officials, journalists, researchers, and advocates at the local, state, and national levels to understand the true cost of living for older adults. The online data tool, developed and managed at UMass Boston, calculates how much income adults aged 65 and older need to meet their basic needsâhousing, food, healthcare, transportation and moreâand age in place, county by county across the United States. The Elder Index also calculates the percentage of older adults in each locale who are struggling financially and offers regional comparisons for living costs and economic security.
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SUMMER RESEARCH EXPERIENCES | |
UMass Boston undergraduates Delia Whitehill, Katy Ochoa, and Delaney Inman (from left) celebrate after giving a group presentation to wrap up their summer research fellowships at Boston College's Center for Retirement Research. | |
Investing in the field: Center for Retirement Research hosts 3 undergraduate fellows | |
Delaney Inman says she had a great summer, but not because she traveled to exotic locations or lazed on the beach for days. Instead, she took an online economics class, learned how to use the statistics software Stata, researched an aspect of the Social Security program and gave a group presentation on it, and heard from a range of professionals about their career paths in aging policy, financial security, public administration, and more. Inman, a UMass Boston senior, along with junior Delia Whitehill and senior Katy Ochoa served as research fellows at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, gaining research experience, course credits, and professional development. | |
Jang witnesses policy in action as GSA intern | |
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Jeein Jang returns to UMass Boston this fall with renewed motivation for her third year of the gerontology doctoral program after working as a summer public policy intern for the Gerontological Society of America in Washington D.C. Her experience solidified her interest in population health and health disparities and the role that scholarship can play in addressing these issues.
âIâve seen firsthand the importance of coalition work, of how to bring together diverse groups to advocate for a common goal,â Jang says. âCongress values the number of voices advocating for an issue. It gave me a deeper understanding of how collaborative work can drive meaningful change.â
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Doctoral student Jeein Jang's internship included attending a roundtable on healthcare policies | |
Management of Aging Services master's degree graduates celebrate with program director Ellen Birchander | Glickman Fund supports non-traditional students | |
Students who enroll in the Management of Aging Services masterâs and certificate program at UMass Boston bring a passion for making a difference in the lives of older adults. Dedicated, compassionate, and innovative, they become leaders in a broad range of careers in aging, from home and community-based services to advocacy organizations, state and municipal organizations, care management, transportation, and housing.
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As non-traditional studentsâtheir average age is 45âour MAS students typically balance their studies with full-time work and caring for children and aging relatives. For students whose finances are stretched thin, the Lillian Glickman Student Support Fund offers help with program fees, tuition, and related costs.The Lillian Glickman Student Support Fund for Management of Aging Services honors one of three co-founders of the Management of Aging Services masterâs and certificate programs and a co-director until her retirement in 2019.
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UMASS BOSTON GERONTOLOGY IN THE NEWS
"Addressing the nation's retirement crisis: The 80%," NCOA post looks at its research in partnership with LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, August 30, 20024.
"What are the best suburbs for retirees in 2024?" Jan Mutchler talks with This Old House on evaluating where to retire, August 6, 2024.
"Why the U.S. elects so many older politicians," Edward Alan Miller talks with CNBC, July 30, 2024.
"U.S. finally has a plan on aging: Will we use it?" NextAvenue mentions the Elder Index, July 24, 2024.
"Why heat waves are dangerous for older people," Edward Alan Miller talks with the Boston Globe, July 10, 2024.
"How the 'Medicare Cliff' is raising costs and worsening health for many older low-income adults," Marc Cohen talks with Fortune, July 9, 2024.
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Gerontology Institute at University of Massachusetts Boston
Wheatley Hall 3rd Floor, Room 124A
UMass Boston,100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125
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