Harry welcomes Laura D. Quinby, associate director of research, employee benefits and labor markets at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College; and Luc Schuster, Executive Director at Boston Indicators to discuss the economic challenges facing older adults in Massachusetts. The conversation revolves around a recent report by the Boston Foundation and the Center for Retirement Research, highlighting the wealth disparities among seniors, particularly focusing on racial inequalities and the impact of high living costs. Laura provides insights from her quantitative analysis, revealing that wealth is unevenly distributed, with significant disparities between white households and households of color. Luc complements this with findings from focus groups, emphasizing the critical role of subsidized housing and public benefits for lower-income seniors. The episode concludes with policy recommendations, including the potential benefits of auto IRA legislation and the importance of improved federal support for senior programs.

Topics

00:45 Wealth Gaps in the Golden Years

02:55 Quantitative Analysis of Senior Wealth

06:47 Racial Disparities in Senior Wealth

09:32 Focus Group Insights on Senior Living

20:25 Policy Recommendations for Senior Financial Security

29:20 Final Thoughts and Resources

Harry interviews Bonnie-May Shantz of the Executive Office of Aging and Independence about Massachusetts' newly released Age-Friendly State Plan. They discuss the plan's history, spanning ten years of development starting from local initiatives to joining AARP's age-friendly network. The plan encompasses six goals, including economic security, community empowerment, livable spaces, health and wellness, policy integration, and effective communication. They explore the implementation strategies, progress tracking, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation also touches on interrelated plans for Alzheimer's care and housing challenges. Bonnie-Mae calls for both new and seasoned leaders to get involved and collaborate to enhance the quality of life for older adults in Massachusetts.

Topics

00:32 Overview of the Age-Friendly State Plan

01:57 Goals of the Age-Friendly Plan

03:11 Implementation and Community Involvement

04:25 Differences from Previous Plans

05:59 Measuring Success and Progress

09:04 Addressing Housing and Independence

16:35 Governor's Executive Order and State Involvement

19:29 Call to Action and Final Thoughts

Harry speaks with Peyton Whitney about the findings from a recent report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies. The discussion delves into the concept of 'housing burden,' where households spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and its severe implications for older adults. They explore the escalating costs of housing and long-term care, particularly home-based care, and how these costs disproportionately affect older adults, especially minorities and women. The conversation highlights the increasing number of older households facing financial strain, the necessity of Medicaid and other support programs, and the urgent need for policy changes to improve the situation. Practical advice for older adults and their families on preparing for future care needs is also provided.

More on Peyton and the JCHS at https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/

Topics

00:31 Understanding Housing Burden

01:17 Impact of Housing Burden on Older Adults

02:28 Housing Market Challenges for Older Adults

03:31 Statistics on Housing Burden

07:20 Long-Term Care Costs and Dual Burden

13:01 Medicaid and Home Care Services

16:26 Recommendations and Community Support

21:16 Personal Story and Conclusion

The guest is Catherine Buell, the former director of Amazon's Housing Equity Fund. The conversation delves into why many baby boomers stay in their homes, how this impacts the housing market, and potential solutions such as wellness and multi-generational communities. Katherine shares her insights from her experience managing public housing and the Amazon Housing Equity Fund, emphasizing the importance of creating diverse and accessible housing options for all ages. The discussion also covers the role of zoning laws, healthcare company investments, and innovative housing models that could serve the aging population better.

Topics

00:00 Introduction to the Housing Crisis

00:43 The Baby Boomer Impact on Housing

01:19 Challenges in the Housing Market

02:21 Innovative Housing Solutions

05:31 Wellness Real Estate Communities

12:24 Zoning Laws and Policy Recommendations

19:10 The Role of Healthcare in Housing

24:31 Call to Action for Baby Boomers

26:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Joe Seldner, the founder of the Senior Poverty Prevention Project, discusses his motivations and experiences in raising awareness about senior poverty, which he noticed during his own financial struggles after a lengthy custody battle in the late '90s. The project primarily aims to highlight the lack of awareness surrounding senior poverty and encourage public discourse and policy changes. The conversation delves into the statistics and reality of financial insecurity among seniors, misconceptions about baby boomers' wealth, and the impact of potential federal program cuts on elderly care. Joe emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, sustained careers, and political advocacy for both current and future generations to mitigate financial struggles in old age.

Topics

00:22 Meet Joe Seldner: Founder of the Senior Poverty Prevention Project

02:59 The Reality of Senior Poverty in the U.S.

05:16 Challenges and Solutions for Low-Income Seniors

09:23 Impact of Policy Changes on Senior Welfare

12:00 Gender Disparities in Senior Poverty

13:09 Economic Inequality and Its Effects on Seniors

15:28 The Decline of Pension Plans and Its Consequences

22:13 Financial Literacy: A Key to Future Security

24:46 Recommendations for Policymakers and Baby Boomers

28:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Harry welcomes Howard Gleckman, Senior Fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, to discuss the implications of proposed Medicaid cuts under President Trump's administration. They delve into the technical aspects and potential consequences such as reduced home health coverage, the effects on long-term care for older adults and people with disabilities, and the anticipated challenges for Medicaid-funded services and providers. The episode also covers broader issues like immigration's impact on the caregiving workforce, potential changes in Medicare, and practical advice for policymakers and baby boomers preparing for long-term care.

Topics

00:06 Medicaid Cuts and Their Impact on Elder Care

01:25 Technical Details of Medicaid Funding

04:16 Effects of Medicaid Cuts on Long-Term Care

05:36 Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services

06:55 Challenges in Nursing Home Funding

11:00 Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients

13:42 Changes in Medicare and the Older Americans Act

20:59 Impact of Immigration Policies on Caregiving

25:17 Tax Proposals and Long-Term Care Insurance

26:49 Recommendations for Policymakers and Baby Boomers

30:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Harry interviews Ben Veghte, executive director of the Washington Cares Fund, about the fund's initiative for public long-term care insurance in Washington state. They discuss the urgent need for such a system due to the aging population and caregiver shortages. Ben explains how the program works and its benefits, including the potential for supplemental private insurance. Additionally, they delve into Ben's study of the Dutch long-term care system, exploring how universal coverage and person-centered aging in the Netherlands could serve as a model for the United States. Key recommendations for policymakers include adopting universal coverage and promoting affordable housing for seniors.

Topics

00:58 Understanding the Washington Cares Fund

01:48 How the Washington Cares Fund Works

03:14 Challenges and Benefits of the Program

09:55 Personal Stories and Real-Life Applications

12:55 Eligibility and Participation

15:57 Accessing and Using Benefits

16:58 Out-of-State and International Care Solutions

17:48 Exploring Long-Term Care in the Netherlands

19:01 Universal Coverage and Equity in Care

21:23 Person-Centered Aging in the Netherlands

25:19 Lessons for the U.S. from the Netherlands

32:03 Recommendations for Policymakers and Baby Boomers

Harry is joined by Jim Lomastro to discuss the state of long-term care and nursing homes, particularly focusing on the differences between the systems in Massachusetts and Canada. Jim shares his extensive experience working with the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and his observations about the superior quality and regulatory rigor of Canadian facilities. Key issues discussed include systemic deficiencies in U.S. nursing homes, the impact of governance structures, and potential lessons from the Canadian model for U.S. policymakers. The episode also explores recent legislative changes in Massachusetts and provides recommendations for seniors and their families.

Topics

01:47 Comparing Long-Term Care in the US and Canada

03:04 Experiences and Observations in Canadian Facilities

03:26 Challenges in US Nursing Homes

05:46 Differences in Regulatory Approaches

09:05 New Legislation in Massachusetts

12:45 Financial Struggles and Facility Conditions

14:30 Public vs. Private Facilities

16:49 Nonprofits and For-Profit Entities in Healthcare

18:10 Impact of Budget Cuts on Medicare and Medicaid

19:27 Comparing Healthcare Systems: US vs Canada

22:17 Recommendations for Policymakers

25:17 Advice for Baby Boomers

26:46 The Future of Elder Care

29:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Harry is joined by Jim Lomastro to discuss the state of long-term care and nursing homes, particularly focusing on the differences between the systems in Massachusetts and Canada. Jim shares his extensive experience working with the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and his observations about the superior quality and regulatory rigor of Canadian facilities. Key issues discussed include systemic deficiencies in U.S. nursing homes, the impact of governance structures, and potential lessons from the Canadian model for U.S. policymakers. The episode also explores recent legislative changes in Massachusetts and provides recommendations for seniors and their families.

Topics

01:47 Comparing Long-Term Care in the US and Canada

03:04 Experiences and Observations in Canadian Facilities

03:26 Challenges in US Nursing Homes

05:46 Differences in Regulatory Approaches

09:05 New Legislation in Massachusetts

12:45 Financial Struggles and Facility Conditions

14:30 Public vs. Private Facilities

16:49 Nonprofits and For-Profit Entities in Healthcare

18:10 Impact of Budget Cuts on Medicare and Medicaid

19:27 Comparing Healthcare Systems: US vs Canada

22:17 Recommendations for Policymakers

25:17 Advice for Baby Boomers

26:46 The Future of Elder Care

29:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Harry speaks with Dr. Derenda Schubert, executive director of Bridge Meadows, a unique senior housing concept based in Portland, Oregon. Bridge Meadows communities are designed to support both elders and families impacted by foster care, creating an intentional intergenerational living environment. Derenda explains the layout and features of these communities, the financing and subsidies involved, and the benefits of creating such integrated spaces for fostering connection, purpose, and stability. They explore the adoption process, discuss support systems for aging residents, and highlight the broader implications for housing policy. Derenda also mentions similar communities across the country and emphasizes the importance of addressing the housing crisis through innovative intergenerational solutions.

Topics

00:00 Introduction to Bridge Meadows

00:35 Purpose and Design of Bridge Meadows

01:33 Locations and Living Arrangements

04:06 Community Facilities and Activities

05:15 Funding and Affordability

07:52 Youth Programs and Foster Care

14:12 Elder Support and Community Care

17:01 Intergenerational Living Models

21:20 Policy Recommendations and Final Thoughts