This series of AARP Public Policy Institute reports, written by Ke Bin Wu, examines income sources for persons age 65 and older and the distribution of each income source by gender, race/ethnic group, age, and income quintile. The data in the most recent report, drawn from the March 2007 Current Population Survey, show that older persons with low income depend heavily on Social Security and that earnings have become a more important income source for the older population over the last 11 years.

AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with more than 34 million readers, today announced the top ten healthiest cities to live and retire in with Ann Arbor, MI, Honolulu, HI, Madison, WI, Santa Fe, NM, and Fargo, ND taking the top five rankings. Featured in the September/October issue, the magazine also named five additional cities that received high marks for vitality and great living conditions including Boulder, CO, Charlottesville, VA, San Francisco Bay Area, Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN, and Naples-Marco Island, FL.

Describes the AgeLine database, offers advice on using the database to find selected materials, and identifies content coverage and publication types. Provides contact information and quotes from current users.

John La Puma, M.D., is a board-certified internist and a professional chef.

Senator John McCain committed to addressing AARP’s Life@50+ National Event & Expo. Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond released the following statement

This AARP Public Policy Institute research paper examines the extent to which states have balanced the delivery of Medicaid-funded long-term care services and supports to older people and adults with physical disabilities in their homes (or in more home-like settings in their communities) and in institutions. (193 pages)

A new report by AARP’s Public Policy Institute finds promising signs and mixed results among state government efforts to balance long-term care (LTC) options under Medicaid. Unfortunately, according to the report, only four states spent more than 50 percent of their Medicaid LTC dollars for older people providing home and community based services (HCBS). The remainder of the states continues to spend the majority of their Medicaid LTC dollars for older people on institutional care, such as nursing homes.

The AARP Foundation today announced a call for entries to its second annual Women’s Scholarship Program. The scholarships will provide funds to women 40+ who are seeking new job skills, training and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families.

In reaction to driver licensing recommendations issued by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety today, AARP released the following statement from Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond

This brief synopsis of an AARP Public Policy Institute research paper examines the extent to which states have balanced the delivery of Medicaid-funded long-term care services and supports to older people and adults with physical disabilities in their homes (or in more home-like settings in their communities) and in institutions. (2 pages)

Bill Novelli, AARP’s Chief Executive Officer, issued the following statement on today’s vote by the Senate to pass the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008

Dr. Stephanie Johnson is a neuro-psychologist who directs the American Psychological Association’s Office of Applied Psychological Science. She is also a consultant to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute.

2008 Life@50+ | AARP’s National Event & Expo Job Fair

The Hollywood Radio & Television Society (HRTS) has joined Divided We Fail to keep national attention on the two domestic issues that worry Americans most – health care and financial security.

Divided We Fail is launching new television ads on July 2nd that show both Senator McCain and Senator Obama talking about the problems that exist in our health care system.

AARP’s brief in a lawsuit challenging withholding of Medicare data emphasizes the importance of open information in helping older people choose health care providers, ensuring the best possible performance by providers, and keeping governmental costs down.

The Supreme Court is looking at when financial stakeholders in insurance plans also serve as claims decision-makers. AARP argues that the conflict of interest between what’s good for the plan’s bottom line and what’s fair to claimants requires courts to set up procedures to protect plan participants and beneficiaries.

Over half of consumers ages 45+ are taking steps to cope with rising food prices, according to a recent nationwide AARP Bulletin survey, with the majority believing the government is responsible for the rising prices. (4 pages)

Today, on the 42nd anniversary of Medicare’s implementation, AARP issued a statement urging Congress to act quickly and pass legislation to keep Medicare fair.

This brief synopsis of the AARP Public Policy Institute report, Reassessing the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, written by David Neumark of the University of California at Irvine, assesses the success of the 1967 ADEA and the challenges that lie ahead for older adults who want to work. (2 pages)