On Oct. 15 at 11 a.m., NJFA will present the third and final free webinar in its Policy Series, sponsored by Archer Law Office, LLC, with “Elder Economic Security: How Data Help Inform Advocacy,” featuring Jan Mutchler, Ph.D. (pictured). Mutchler is Professor of Gerontology in the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, and Director of the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) in the Gerontology Institute at UMass, Boston. Register for the webinar at njfoundationforaging.org.

The Elder Index is a tool that measures the income older adults need to meet necessary expenses for housing, health care, food, transportation, and other essentials, while staying independent in their own homes. It is used by policymakers, older adults, family caregivers, service providers, aging advocates and the public at large. NJ’s statewide Elder Index report, previously produced three times with the support of NJFA, is now produced by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services.

Mutchler will explain the Elder Index in greater detail and provide an overview of the Elder Index for NJ. She’ll discuss how it can be used to measure economic insecurity among older adults. She’ll also review data describing the risk of economic insecurity in NJ and differences in that risk across demographic groups and by county. In addition, Mutchler will share initial thoughts about the financial impacts of the pandemic on older adults and lead a discussion on how organizations can use the Elder Index to promote awareness and advocate for older adults struggling to get by.

The Gerontology Institute at UMass, Boston, continues to produce national data and promote a national dialogue on the issue of economic security in later life. Some of their current work can be found on the Institute Blog, including that the data reveals the inequities that exist in retirement and that older adults of color have a more difficult time with saving for retirement.