Little is known about the overall experiences and feelings of diverse older populations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. To provide the baseline information for future research and policy, this study analyzed the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 project data ( n = 1782). More than 70% of older adults reported the following activities: watching TV (98%), reading (90%), using a computer and the internet (83%), gardening (82%), walking (75%), baking and cooking (73%), and praying (73%). Volunteering and attending community groups, which are known to benefit well-being, were unpopular (less than 8%). During the pandemic, older adults were generally satisfied with their lives, but more than half of them were concerned about their own health, family’s health, and future prospects. Our study also showed the differences in the experiences and feelings by gender and race as well as the intersection of gender and race in the United States.
As people age, they find themselves living similar lives to those around them. This concept is often referred to as linked lives. Linked lives explains that individual lives are often interdependent. This is due to various elements such as social and historical influences. These influences can imprint networks of shared relationships. Researchers have found that the first point of socialization as humans are social relationships with family and friends. However, while the connections of linked lives are often attributed to early life course trajectories, little research has evaluated the interdependency that is created with disabilities in later life. Life course disability research is a key factor of gerontology because a majority of older adults encounter disabilities within later life. This attributed disability can often forge bound and interdependence within people and their own social networks. This paper theoretically examines different perspectives of disabilities research and how it relates to the fundamental principles of linked lives. This paper highlights the gap in the current gerontological understanding of the later life links among older adults with disabilities. This theory paper provides the needed information for gerontologist focusing on older people with disabilities to be able to evaluate allocations needed for providing adequate social support and services tailored towards the needs of these interdependent lives.
The novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has impacted the aging workforce. In addition to local data and case studies that are rapidly increasing, baseline national-level inquiries are needed for investigating relevant social inequalities. Also, the intersections of gender and race/ethnicity among older adults are critical yet understudied areas. For example, older minority women’s experience in the pandemic, compared to older men, are yet to be investigated. We analyzed the nationally representative 2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) COVID-19 module data. Based on the sample of 2,086 adults aged 50 years and older, employment during the pandemic as well as psychosocial measures, including social support and attitudes toward work, are examined. We used survey-weighted binary logistic regression models. Results showed that older Black women (Odds-ratio = 0.52, p = 0.02 < 0.05) were less likely to work for pay compared to White women during the pandemic. Also, older Hispanic men (Odds-ratio = 2.82, p = 0.03 < 0.05) were more likely to work for pay than older White men. Older Hispanic women (Odds-ratio = 2.41, p = 0.03 < 0.05) were more likely to worry about getting social support during the pandemic than White women. However, there was no significant differences in the changes in attitudes toward work across gender and racial/ethnic groups during the pandemic. Based on the baseline national data analysis, we discussed possible policy changes and interventions that consider the intersections of gender and race/ethnicity to help older adults re-adjust to post-pandemic work environments and labor markets.
In recent decades, technology has changed how individuals interact with their money and with each other. A combination of financial vulnerability and low technological literacy puts many older adults at risk for identity theft, fraud, and financial exploitation. We reviewed the literature on financial capacity, financial exploitation, and digital literacy. Extant models and measures of financial capacity among older adults emphasize numeracy and basic functional skills, such as writing checks and counting change; these may not reflect the digital nature of contemporary financial activity. We propose the neuroecological model of financial capacity among older adults. This function-led model contends that financial capacity consists of neurocognitive abilities to make sound financial decisions in a complex environment, to use technology to monitor and carry out financial activities, and the ability to protect personal information and guard against fraud. This points to a need for more ecologically valid measures of financial capacity and vulnerability to financial exploitation that addresses the role of technology in everyday financial activities.
Along with population aging, the diversity of the older US population is increasing. Research suggests that racial and ethnic minorities experience disadvantages over the life course that can negatively impact later life. Despite this, little research has examined racial and ethnic differences in satisfaction with retirement. Using data from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, we compared retirement satisfaction among Black (n = 1,068), Hispanic (n = 674), Other (n=161), and White (n = 4,833) older adults (age 65+). Retirement satisfaction was measured with the following item: “All in all, would you say that your retirement has turned out to be very satisfying, moderately satisfying, or not at all satisfying?” Responses were categorized as very satisfied vs. all others. Approximately 43% of Black, 35% of Hispanic, 39% of Other, and 56% of White Americans reported being very satisfied with retirement (χ2(2.4)=58.9; p < .0001). In multivariate logistic models controlling for age, educational level, gender, household income, marital status, and functional limitations, the odds of being very satisfied with retirement were 32% lower for Hispanic (OR=0.68; 95% CI= 0.55, 0.85) and 37% lower for Other Americans (OR=0.63; 95% CI= 0.43,0.92) relative to their White counterparts. No significant difference was evident for Black and White Americans in adjusted analysis (OR=0.96; 95% CI=0.76,1.20). Our findings indicate that inequalities in the retirement experience exist by race and ethnicity in the United States. More research is needed to understand the factors responsible for lower retirement satisfaction among Hispanic and Other Americans.
Societal social trust has been shown to be related to economic growth and equality. Low levels of social trust are especially consequential in aging societies and can result in low levels of social capital and greater inequality at older ages. Nordic countries are known for their greater social trust, access to education, economic productivity, and social equality. To better understand social trust promoters, we explored data from the 2012/2014 Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) to examine relationships among social trust, basic skills (i.e., literacy), and non-formal education (NFE) participation for adults ages 45 to 65, in the U.S., Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Additionally, through 19 key informant interviews and a review of the literature, we investigated the structure and availability of NFE across the five nations. As compared to the U.S., adults ages 45 - 65 in Nordic countries have higher levels of social trust (all Nordic countries; p < 0.001), lower rates of poor literacy skills (Finland, Norway, and Sweden; p <.001), greater rates of participation in NFE (Denmark and Sweden; p < 0.05). Through the availability of NFE, such as folk high schools and learning circles in Nordic countries, adults can participate in NFE at little or no cost. Similar programs are not available in the U.S. This research informs policy and practice for the provision of NFE, which is critical to increase levels of social trust, and in turn, to promote economic development, social equality and positive aging in the U.S.
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