Resources

Aging by the Numbers

Federal Data

AgingStats. Gov
AgingStats. Gov is the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics (Forum) was initially established in 1986, with the goal of bringing together Federal agencies that share a common interest in improving aging-related data. The Forum has played a key role by critically evaluating existing data resources and limitations, stimulating new database development, encouraging cooperation and data sharing among Federal agencies, and preparing collaborative statistical reports. In addition to the original three core agencies (National Institute on Aging, National Center for Health Statistics and Census Bureau), the organizing members of the Forum now include senior officials from the Administration on Aging, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in HHS, Social Security Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Massachusetts Data

MA Geography Specific Data: Masschip Instant Topics
Use the link above for instant topics and choose Older Adults on third screen. Then choose geographic area of interest for report of demographic characteristics and health indicators.

Elder Policy Issues

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs website
This Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs website provides information to assist elders and their families with answers to questions about services and opportunities available to seniors and their caregivers in Massachusetts. On this website, you can obtain information on caring for an aging parent, securing help for an elderly neighbor, getting nutritious meals delivered to a senior's home, getting help parenting a grandchild, or learning more about prescription drug programs for elders.

Through the statewide elder network, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs ("Elder Affairs") provides services locally via Aging Services Access Points (ASAP), Councils on Aging (COA) and senior centers in communities across the Commonwealth. This network reaches out to elders in need of services that include home care and caregiver support, nutrition programs, protective services, health and wellness services, housing options, SHINE counseling (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders), or counseling services for elders with limited English proficiency.

Private Organizations Concerned with Elder Policy Issues

Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing
The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing is the only nurse-led institute in the country seeking to improve the quality of the nation's health care for older Americans. The Hartford Institute has developed partnering programs, models, and resources to positively influence both the individual nurse's competence and the systems in which nurses learn and work. The link below is for policy issues and aging.

The Gerontological Society of America
This is a non-profit professional organization with more than 5000 members in the field of aging. GSA provides practitioners, researchers, educators, and policy makers with opportunities to understand, advance, integrate, and use basic and applied research on aging to improve the quality of life as one ages.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
(RWJF) focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. The Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. Relevant to aging are links to "Long term care" and "End of Life and Palliative Care."

Kaiser Family Foundation
KaiserEdu, an offshoot of the Kaiser Family Foundation website, is designed for faculty and students. Many topics relevant to health policy and aging are on this site.

In the tutorial link there are five offerings on Medicare

In the syllabus link there are 3 course syllabi on Current Topics in Health Policy/Aging and Health Policy. Many print references are in these syllabi.

The main website of the Kaiser Foundation has an active compendium of policy documents related to Medicare. You can also search the main website for other aging issues.

Culture of Aging

Aging in America: Online video
In 2003, MSNBC.com publishes an updated report on how seniors are staying engaged in their later years, and the love and loss that accompanies growing old together.

Frontline Living Old
A powerful and intimate journey into the uncharted territory of Americans living longer than ever -- and what it means for them, their loved ones and our society.

PBS
Readings and Links on this website provide more resources