Gerontology Institute Releases National Elder Index

The Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston announces the release of the national Elder Economic Security Standard Index database.  

Based on a methodology developed by the Gerontology Institute, in collaboration with Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW), the Elder Index is a measure of the income that older adults need to meet their basic needs and age in place independently. The Elder Index is calculated for every state and county in the United States, with separate calculations for singles and for couples, for three different housing scenarios, and for three levels of health.

The Elder Index data produced by the Gerontology Institute can be obtained through the following website:  http://www.basiceconomicsecurity.org/gateway.aspx

A brief comparing the Elder Index values for renters to median incomes for singles, on a state-by-state basis, has been released by WOW, and can be retrieved here http://www.wowonline.org/DoingWithout.asp

Additional reports and analyses will be posted to the Gerontology Institute website.