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MIDDLE CLASS SECURITY PROJECT

PPI Research examines the prospects for secure middle-class retirement.  

 

See also personal stories of struggling middle-class Americans.

state
Data Center

PPI State Data Center

Data by state on Americans 50-plus: health, financial security, housing, caregiving and more.  Read

events

Solutions Forum:

Better Lifetime Income Options

What role for annuities?

Solutions Forum:

Ending the Foreclosure Crisis

What Will Help Older Americans?

Solutions Forum:

Promoting Aging in Place

Policies and Practices that Work

Solutions Forum:

The Challenges of Family Caregiving

What Needs to Be Done?

Solutions Forum: Delivering Long-Term Services and Supports

How Can States Do Better?

Solutions Forum:
Advancing Rural Health
Maximizing Nurses Impact

Solutions Forum: Launching Health Insurance Exchanges
What are states doing to create exchanges?

Solutions Forum: Improving Health Coverage for Americans 50-64

The impact of health reform—now and in the future.

Solutions Forum: Social Security and the Future of Retirement

What changes can ensure Social Security continues to play a major role in retirement security?

See All Events »

our public
policies

Learn about the policy development process at AARP, and read about AARP's positions on public issues in The Policy Book, AARP Public Policies
2011-2012. More

faces of
chronic care

Faces of Chronic Care, a video produced by AARP’s Public Policy Institute, explores the difficulties faced by many older Americans with chronic health conditions as they (and their caregivers) navigate the health delivery system. Watch

Championing
Nursing

PPI is home to the Center to Champion Nursing in America — a joint initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — committed to addressing the growing nursing shortage that threatens access to health care and quality of care across the nation.  More

AARP Home » AARP Research Center » Public Policy Institute »Livable Communities - PPI
Seniors need affordable and accessible means of staying independent such as a public transportation system and shops within walking distance

Preserving Affordability and Access in Livable Communities read

Studies show that seniors who have access by walking and by bus and by train to shops and other amenities stay healthier longer

Creating Neighborhoods Around Transit read

Housing for people over 50 is less affordable in many cases- a man in his house

Housing Conditions and Affordability for the Older Population read

AARP surveys aging in place options for seniors- a woman tends her garden

A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices read

  • Seniors need affordable and accessible means of staying independent such as a public transportation system and shops within walking distanceLand Use
  • Studies show that seniors who have access by walking and by bus and by train to shops and other amenities stay healthier longerTransportation
  • Housing for people over 50 is less affordable in many cases- a man in his houseHousing
  • AARP surveys aging in place options for seniors- a woman tends her gardenIndependant Living

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

main
topics

Policy

Livable Communities issues and strategies to help the older population age in place. This link takes you our policy and related publications on land use, housing, and transportation. Explore

Resources

Publications, research, web links and other tools to learn more about Livable Communities initiatives and programs. Explore

Get Involved

Explore various opportunities to participate in Livable Communities events and stay informed about Livable Communities activities in your area. Explore

about
us

The Public Policy Institute (PPI) is the focal point of public policy research, analysis and development at AARP. Led by AARP Senior Vice President Susan Reinhard, PPI's staff works to design policies that have a significant impact on improving economic security, health care and quality of life. More

Featured
RESOURCES

Weaving It Together: A Tapestry of Transportation Funding for Older Adults

Human service and public transportation providers are weaving together and leveraging scarce funding sources for transportation serving older adults and persons with disabilities. read

Work Related Travel in an Era of Extended Employment

This paper explores emerging trends as older workers extend employment and presents recommendations for transportation planners and policymakers to consider. read

Loss of Housing Affordability

Housing costs threaten financial stability for many middle-class older adults. read

Creating Neighborhoods Around Transit

A new PPI video shows how transit-oriented development facilitates the independence and mobility of older adults. Watch

Travel of the 50+

AARP is your go-to resource to understand the travel of persons age 50+. This links takes you to our publications that include analysis of the National Household Travel Survey data series. read

Impact of Baby Boomers on U.S. Travel, 1969 to 2009

The boomer generation has driven the growth of travel over the last 20 years. Where is it headed now? read

Leisure travel of the 50+

More older Americans are driving to leisure destinations. What are the implications for safety? read

Aging in Place: State Livability Policies and Practices

A survey of state land use, housing and transportation policies and practices that promote aging in place. Written jointly with the National Conference of State Legislatures. read

Policy and Design Considerations for Accommodating Low-Speed Vehicles and Golf Carts in Community Transportation Networks

Low-speed vehicles and golf carts offer economical transportation options in many communities. This report by Jana Lynott shows growing use of these vehicles will require greater attention to planning, infrastructure design, public education, and regulation. read

Transportation Funding Reform: Equity Considerations for Older Americans

This report considers how to finance a system that is fair, efficient, and reliable and that promotes transportation choices for all Americans. read

State Housing Profiles: Housing Conditions and Affordability for the Older Population

State Housing Profiles 2011 provides a full range of data on key housing indicators for older adults in every state and the District of Columbia. read

Housing for Older Adults: The Impacts of the Recession

This report highlights a drop in the percentage of homeowners over 50 who own their homes free and clear and shows rising costs for those who rent or still pay mortgages. An AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Rodney Harrell, PhD. read

How the Travel Patterns of Older Adults Are Changing: Highlights from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey

A report shows that older adults make up an increasing share of the nation’s travel. They are using public transportation more and driving less than in the past. The number of older nondrivers has grown by more than one million, raising concerns about future mobility needs. read

Multigenerational Households Are Increasing

AARP’s Rodney Harrell tells us that since the beginning of the recession in 2008, the number of Americans living in generational households has increased. read

Policy Options to Improve Specialized Transportation

Authorization of the next surface transportation law provides an opportunity to improve specialized transportation services. read

Strategies to Meet the Housing Needs of Older Adults

This report discusses some of the housing challenges facing older adults and explores strategies that, if pursued, would better enable them to remain in their homes and communities as they age. read

Preserving Affordability and Access in Livable Communities: Subsidized Housing Opportunities near Transit and the 50+ Population

As communities address the general shortage of affordable housing, preserving affordable housing in transit-oriented developments (TODs) is one of the challenges that communities must address to increase livability. read

Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America

Complete Streets Initiatives bring transportation issues of older Americans to the planning table at the state and local level. read

 

 

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PPI
Topics

Consumer Protection

Financial Services, Financial Literacy, Fraud and Deception, Energy and Public Utilities, Telecommunications/Information Technology, Advance Planning and Legal Rights.

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Economic Security

Social Security, Pensions and Retirement Saving, Income and Assets, Tax and Budget, Work and Retirement, Low-Income Programs and Populations

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Health Care

Medicare; Medicaid; Health Costs; Health Coverage/Insurance; Health Quality, Safety and Access; Healthy Behavior and Public Health; Prescription Drugs; Health Care Work Force; Nursing

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Livable Communities

Housing, Transportation

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Long-Term Care

Assisted Living, Caregiving, Home and Community-Based Services, Long-Term Care Insurance, Nursing Homes, Medicaid

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that helps people 50 and older improve the quality of their lives.