National Aging Readiness
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Turning Data into Action for Better Nursing Home Quality
People in the United States are living longer, and our population is also aging rapidly which provides a shared opportunity to expand options for in-home assistance and quality nursing home care that advances What Matters to all of us as we age. West Health’s Aging Readiness Dashboard measures how prepared each state is to meet the demographic shift by integrating national and state-level data ac...
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 Disability Partnerships and Policies to Advance Age-friendly Ecosystems
AbstractThe success of Age-Friendly Ecosystems depends upon the participation and buy-in of sectors and stakeholders that serve and affect older adults. The disability community is a critical partner that largely has not, to date, been included in age-friendly efforts. The significant percentage of older adults aging with and into disability, the intersections between ageism and ableism, and the c...
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...
Why MPAs Are Critical to Equitably Meeting the Needs of Aging Communities
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, states have an opportunity to rebuild their systems serving elders to better serve all older adults and people with disabilities. This massive feat must begin with a plan.Multisector Plans for Aging—also known as master plans, strategic plans or aging-well plans—offer a powerful tool for communities to better meet older adults’ long-term services and supp...
Who Pays? The Cost of Long-Term Care in the United States
Long-term care includes an array of services that help people with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and eating. These services may include home health care, nursing home care, personal care, homemaker services, transportation, and other supports that allow older adults and people with disabilities to live safely and with dignity. Nearly 70% of older Americans will nee...
West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare: Taking a Pulse on Healthcare in America
West Health is proud to partner with Gallup to launch the West Health–Gallup Center on Healthcare in America, which reveals how people experience care in the U.S. Through clear, data-driven insights on cost, quality, and access, the Center highlights where the system falls short and where change is urgently needed.
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...
Safety Net Programs Don’t Keep Up with Older Adults’ Actual Costs of Living
The infographic below illustrates how the income eligibility limits for several major safety net programs compare with the actual cost of living for older adults. While these programs provide critical support for those with the lowest incomes, many older adults who are struggling financially fall outside eligibility thresholds and are unable to access assistance.Key Takeaways• The cost of living i...
America: An Aging Nation
The infographic below illustrates how quickly the nation’s age balance is changing — and how that change is already playing out across states. It also pairs demographic projections with survey data capturing how older adults themselves feel about aging. Together, these insights highlight both the scale of the transition and the lived experience behind the numbers.Key TakeawaysBy 2030, older adults...