Aging in Place
Discover the benefits and challenges of older adults aging in place.
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Feelings Meet Facts: What We See When We Overlay Our Gallup Survey on the City Checkup
Nearly one in four U.S. workers, about 23 million people, say they're staying in a job they want to leave because they're afraid of losing their health insurance.1 Researchers call this job lock, and according to new research from our West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America, it's risen eight percentage points since 2021.1,2 That's a feeling, captured the way we capture feelings through ...
Inside the West Health City Checkup
Not one of the 789 cities graded by the West Health City Checkup earned an A. Rockville, Maryland, ranked first in the country, earns the single highest grade anyone achieved: a B+. Its Safety & Security domain, on its own, sits at only the 72nd percentile.1 Strong, not flawless, and that's true of the best report card in America.That's not a flaw in the measurement. It's the finding, and that’s w...
Elevating Voices to Inform System Planning
Addressing the complex challenges facing older adults, as well as people with disabilities and their caregivers requires cross-sector collaboration, with community voices driving change at the local and state levels. Since its launch in 2021, California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA) has relied on stakeholder voices to inform the plan’s development and implementation.Through the MPA, six standing a...
Preparing for the Future: Using Data to Support Aging in America
It’s no secret that communities worldwide are experiencing a demographic shift, with older adults soon outnumbering younger generations. In the U.S., the Census Bureau projects that by 2034, adults ages 65 and older will outnumber children younger than 18 for the first time in history.West Health has worked with federal and state agencies to facilitate aging-focused planning, and a common challeng...
Leveraging Multisector Plans for Aging to Promote Health Equity
As our population skews older, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and social services becomes increasingly important. Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) have emerged as a pivotal framework for addressing the diverse needs of older adults and promoting health equity. This comprehensive strategy encompasses initiatives aimed at enhancing well-being and quality of life for older Americans, while...
Creating the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging
Aging in America and the Case for a National Plan on AgingThere are more than 77 million adults ages 60 and older living in the United States, representing more than 23% of its total population, and this cohort is expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years. In addition, more people are aging with a disability. Our changing demographics require all levels of government, along with key...
How Transportation Shapes Health Care Access for Older Adults
As we age, access to transportation greatly influences our ability to maintain independence and engage in essential daily activities. For more than 11 million older adults who no longer drive, reliable transportation often determines whether they can access timely care, manage their chronic conditions, grocery shopping, and stay connected to their communities. Nearly 10% of older adults over age 6...
From Isolation to Connection: Supporting Older Adults in Connecting to Community
Social Isolation and loneliness — what is the difference? Social isolation means a person has few social relationships and/or little contact or support from others. Loneliness is the subjective experience of feeling alone or not close to others. Someone can, objectively, have many social connections, but still feel alone. Social isolation is a growing public health concern in the United States, l...
New Federal Rules on SNAP and Medicaid Put Older Adults at Risk
In the infographics below, we highlight who is most affected by the new federal rules, what’s at stake for older adults, and how changes to SNAP and Medicaid could deepen financial hardship and food insecurity for millions nationwide.Key Takeaways:Despite widespread concern about rising costs of food and healthcare, new federal rules put millions at risk of losing essential support.87% of adults a...
Why America Needs Multisector Plans for Aging
As America grows older, the systems that support us must evolve with intention. Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) offer states a powerful roadmap to build coordinated, age-friendly communities where everyone can thrive. Bringing together government, healthcare, community organizations, philanthropy, and older adults, MPAs create long-term, cross-sector strategies rooted in data, accountability, a...