The AARP Public Policy Institute's nonpartisan policy analysis focuses on issues of critical importance to older Americans and draws on the work of experts across the ideological spectrum.

The U.S. Essential Workforce Ages 50 and Older: A Snapshot

During the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, as businesses either closed or moved employees to telework, the vital importance of a segment of the overall working population, the essential workforce, came to light for Americans. These workers perform jobs that are necessary to critical infrastructure operations.

Financial Access Challenges for Older Adults

Nearly 15 million households 50 and older face gaps in financial access that increase both their costs and risk. This fact sheet examines these gaps, including findings on bank account ownership, account access methods, and credit activity. 

Facilitating Workplace Emergency Savings Programs Through Payroll Cards

There are many ways to structure workplace savings programs, but this report looks at a model that includes four key elements to ensure widespread employer adoption and employee participation: 1) automatic enrollment, 2) consumer-friendly features, 3) regulatory feasibility and 4) affordability for employers.

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Hear Their Voices: The Experiences of Midlife Adults Who Gained Medicaid Coverage in Four Expansion States

To learn more about people’s experiences before and after gaining access to health insurance through state Medicaid coverage, the AARP Public Policy Institute commissioned a series of focus groups of midlife adults (ages 45-64) who were previously uninsured, had no dependent children and had gained coverage through Medicaid in four expansion states (Kentucky, New Mexico, Ohio, or Pennsylvania). 

Putting People First by Strengthening Medicare for the Future

This report highlights and describes in detail seven innovative programs that represent a variety of approaches and span a wide range of Medicare services.

Influenza Vaccinations among Adults 50 and Older: Slow Progress over the Past Decade

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a real urgency to get more people vaccinated against the flu this year. But older adults, who are most at risk of serious illness and death from both COVID-19 and seasonal flu, are, in an effort to avoid the coronavirus, skipping opportunities to get their annual influenza vaccine.

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Long-Term Services & Supports State Scorecard

A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers

Recognition of Family Caregivers in Managed Long-Term Services and Supports

Based on a study of managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) programs, this report examines provisions in MLTSS contracts that are important for the support of family caregivers. The study comprised the review of 31 MLTSS programs for older adults and adults with physical disabilities in 23 states in 2019.

Fast-tracking Approval for Publicly Funded LTSS: Presumptive Eligibility

Part of the Long-Term Services & Supports State Scorecard Promising Practices, this paper examines Presumptive Eligibility programs in five states -- Michigan, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington – comparing key features and making recommendations for effective programs that increase access to Long-Term Services and Supports. 

Long-Term Services and Supports

In 2018, about 14 million adults of all ages needed long-term services and supports (LTSS). This fact sheet takes a closer look at what LTSS encompass, who needs these services, who provides care and where it’s provided, what paid LTSS cost, and who pays for LTSS.

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Caregiving in the United States 2020

First conducted in 1997 by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 update presents a portrait of unpaid family caregivers. Family caregivers now encompass more than one in five Americans. The study also reveals that family caregivers are in worse health compared to five years ago. 

Valuing the Invaluable 2019 Update: Charting a Path Forward

Part of a series of papers on the economic value of family caregiving, this report updates national and individual state estimates of the economic value of family caregiving using the most current data available. In 2017, about 41 million family caregivers in the United States provided an estimated 34 billion hours of care to an adult with limitations in daily activities. The estimated economic value of their unpaid contributions was approximately $470 billion. 

Home Alone Revisied: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Chronic Care

The role of many family caregivers has dramatically expanded to include performing medical/nursing tasks once provided only in hospitals, such as managing  medications, wound care, and giving injections. This report exdamined what family caregivers who perform medical/nursing tasks experience and takes a closer look at specific difficult tasks,such as managing incontinence, pain, and special diets. It also offered greater attention toresources and outcomes as well as family caregiver experiences by gender, generation, and culture. 

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