California Elder Index 2019 Release: Basic Economic Needs of Older Adults and Profile of Those Struggling to Make Ends Meet

Add to calendar

According to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines in 2019, a single elder is considered in poverty if their income is less than $12,490. According to the California Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (CA Elder Index), older adults in California, on average, need two times the FPL amount — single elders who rent have an economic need of $27,816 for a basic and decent standard of living. The CA Elder Index was developed to provide an evidence-based indicator of the actual basic costs faced by older adults ages 65 and over.

D. Imelda Padilla-Frausto, PhD, MPH, UCLA CHPR research scientist, and Steven P. Wallace, PhD, UCLA CHPR Associate Center ;Director, discuss the release the 2019 California Elder Index and trends in the basic cost of living for older adults from 2013 to 2019; uncover the hidden poor — older adults with income above the FPL but not enough income to meet their basic needs; and discuss the implications for older adults during COVID-19. View a recording of the seminar.

Speakers

D. Imelda Padilla-Frausto

D. Imelda Padilla-Frausto

Research Scientist

Learn More
Steven P. Wallace

Steven P. Wallace

Upcoming Events

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Training Webinar // 12:00 PM — 1:30 PM

California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Data User Training: October 30, 2025

Join the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research as we host a data user training on Thursday, October 30 to demonstrate how to use CHIS' free online health query tool AskCHIS™ to get data on a wide range of health topics.

Read more

Thursday, November 06, 2025

Webinar // 9:00 AM — 10:00 AM

Data Equity Center Information Session for State Data Leaders

Join the UCLA Data Equity Center at an informational webinar on Thursday, November 6, to learn more about a newly-launched program that will provide technical assistance to a cohort of states working to improve their data quality and integrity.

Read more