October 27, 2008

Contact:   Gwendolyn Driscoll 310-794-0930 UCLA Center for Health Policy Research gdriscoll@ucla.edu

What is the minimum a senior citizen needs to survive?

Twice as much as the current Federal economic assistance guidelines currently allow, according to new research at the following APHA presentation:

Monday, October 27, 2008 Will the real economic security please stand up? The Elder Standard versus the federal poverty line in California Time: 3:15 p.m.   Abstract # 174273 Venue: Manchester Grand Hyatt, America's Cup B

The Federal Poverty Line is outdated, inaccurate, and inadequate for older adults, according to the creators of the Elder Economic Security Standard Index, a new way to measure income adequacy for older adults.

Problems with the existing Federal Poverty Line have been identified by groups as diverse as the National Academy of Sciences and Mayor Blumberg of New York. The presentation will show that:

• In California, the Federal Poverty Line is only about half the amount needed for basic costs faced by older adults.
  
  
• The new Elder Index is based on observations of senior citizen's everyday needs, from housing to food to health care.
  
  
• Improving the economic security for older adults through public policy, programs, and retirement planning requires the use of a modern, accurate, and realistic tool like the Elder Economic Security Standard index.