In this episode of 'Risking Old Age in America,' host Harry Margolis discusses the impending challenges of aging for baby boomers with Taylor Jansen from the Healthy Aging Data Lab at UMass. They delve into the implications of an aging population, the importance of compiling data on older adults, and the role of social determinants in shaping health outcomes. Taylor highlights the Healthy Aging Data Report's impact on policy and community support, emphasizing age-friendly and dementia-friendly initiatives. They also discuss the significance of chronic disease management and the critical need for community-based services to support aging in place.

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00:00 Introduction to the Aging Population Crisis

00:32 Meet Taylor Jansen: Gerontology Expert

01:11 Understanding the Healthy Aging Data Reports

03:08 Challenges and Trends in Different States

04:58 Defining Chronic Diseases and Their Impact

10:13 Age-Friendly Communities and Their Benefits

17:01 Preparing for the Baby Boomer Surge

19:47 Policy Recommendations for Healthy Aging

21:39 Personal Advice for Healthy Aging

Risking Old Age in America

In this episode of 'Risking Old Age in America,' host Harry Margolis speaks with Beth Truesdale, a research fellow at the W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, about the realities and challenges faced by America's aging workforce. They discuss why extending working years is not a feasible solution for many Americans due to health issues, family caregiving responsibilities, and job instability, especially for those in physically demanding jobs. Beth emphasizes the importance of improving job quality and implementing supportive policies at both state and national levels to better aid older workers. The conversation also addresses concerns about the sustainability of the Social Security system and potential policy changes that could alleviate financial stress for retirees.

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00:00 Introduction to the Aging Workforce Crisis

00:48 Challenges of Working Longer

02:25 Barriers to Employment in the 50s and Beyond

05:31 Policy Solutions for Job Quality

12:37 Impact of the Gig Economy

18:59 Social Security and Retirement Age Debate

25:24 Recommendations for Policymakers and Individuals

29:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Risking Old Age in America

In this episode of Risking Old Age in America, host Harry Margolis discusses the increasing rates of elder poverty with Tracey Gronniger, a managing director at Justice in Aging. They explore the prevalence and underlying causes of elder poverty, especially among women and people of color, and examine the effectiveness of current support programs like Social Security and SSI. The discussion also highlights systemic issues such as the complexities in accessing benefits, inadequate asset limits, and the critical need for legislative action to better support older adults.

Topics

00:28 Meet Tracey Gronniger: Advocate for Economic Security

00:58 Understanding Elder Poverty Rates

04:10 Impact of Cost of Living on Elder Poverty

07:15 Gender and Racial Disparities in Elder Poverty

10:31 The Role of Caregiving in Elder Poverty

14:38 Programs to Alleviate Elder Poverty

16:55 Challenges in Accessing Benefits

23:45 Policy Recommendations for Reducing Elder Poverty

25:23 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Risking Old Age in America

In this episode of 'Risking Old Age in America,' host Harry Margolis discusses the impending surge in elder care needs as the baby boomer generation ages with Michael Festa, the outgoing State Director of AARP Massachusetts. They explore the evolving landscape of elder care, the challenges facing both paid and unpaid caregivers, and the strain on long-term care systems. The conversation delves into policy solutions, workforce issues, and recommendations for both policymakers and families to better prepare for the future. Michael also shares his future plans post-AARP.

Topics:

00:00 Introduction to the Aging Crisis

00:29 Interview with Michael Festa: Background and Experience

01:13 Challenges in Long-Term Care

03:32 Workforce Shortages in Caregiving

05:54 Financial Strain on Families

08:02 Supporting Family Caregivers

09:38 Policy and Legislative Efforts

29:22 Future Directions and Personal Plans

30:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Risking Old Age in America

In this episode of 'Risking Old Age in America,' Harry Margolis speaks with Marc Cohen, co-director of the LTSS Center and professor of gerontology at UMass Boston. They discuss the looming crisis as the oldest baby boomers reach age 85, the inadequacies of private long-term care insurance, and potential solutions including public insurance programs. Cohen highlights the importance of combining private and public efforts and delves into the WISH Act, a proposal for a catastrophic protection program. Additionally, they explore the pressing issue of caregiver shortages and the impact of policy on long-term care services, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding and support. The episode ends with practical advice for policymakers and families, stressing proactive planning for future long-term care needs.

More on Marc at https://www.ltsscenter.org/

Topics:

01:04 The State of Long-Term Care Insurance

02:36 Challenges and Solutions in Long-Term Care Insurance

05:41 The Case for Public Long-Term Care Insurance

11:03 The WISH Act: A Federal Proposal

20:05 Addressing the Caregiver Shortage

25:36 Closing Thoughts and Advice

Risking Old Age in America

In this episode of 'Risking Old Age in America,' host Harry Margolis discusses the challenges and implications of aging in the U.S. with Ashton Applewhite, author of 'This Chair Rocks! A Manifesto Against Ageism.' The discussion covers the growing number of baby boomers nearing the 85-year mark, the definition and everyday impact of ageism, and the diverse experiences of aging individuals. They also tackle the role of elder care, the significance of breaking age-related stereotypes, and potential policy recommendations for a healthier aging society. Ashton shares insights on maintaining purpose, combating ageist attitudes, and adapting to aging gracefully.

More on Ashton and Her Book: https://thischairrocks.com/

00:00 Introduction to Aging and Ageism

00:51 Defining Ageism and Its Impacts

01:20 Individual Differences in Aging

03:35 Interdependence and the Need for Care

04:41 Challenging Stereotypes About Aging

06:54 Influential Figures in Gerontology

10:13 Ageism in the Workplace

13:09 Policy and Health Care Solutions

16:52 Combating Ageism Through Education

18:47 Recommendations for Policymakers and Baby Boomers

21:37 Conclusion and Future Conversations

Risking Old Age in America

More on the MSCA: https://www.maseniorcare.org/

More on Harry Margolis: https://margolisbloom.com/harry-s-margolis/

Harry on Substack: https://okayboomer.substack.com/

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Risking Old Age in America

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Risking Old Age in America

More on Richard: https://www.urban.org/author/richard-w-johnson

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Risking Old Age in America

Harry engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Irving Stackpole, a consultant to the long-term care industry. The conversation delves into the challenges and insights surrounding elder care and the evolving landscape of long-term care services in the United States. Stackpole shares his expertise on the demographic shifts and supply-demand dynamics in the aging services sector, highlighting the need for transformative changes in the infrastructure of long-term care. The conversation explores the transition from nursing homes to assisted living facilities and home care, emphasizing the importance of addressing the diverse housing and care needs of aging populations. The discussion sheds light on the economic, social, and policy implications of the evolving long-term care industry and calls for a reevaluation of long-term care financing and investment strategies. Overall, the podcast offers a critical reflection on the complexities and challenges of the current long-term care system and underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to meet the changing needs of aging populations.

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Risking Old Age in America