AARP Policy, Research, and Thought Leadership

𝗔𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗜, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲—𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹. Coverage of AARP research from TheStreet examines a disconnect emerging as employers adopt artificial intelligence. Experienced workers are playing a significant role in shaping how AI is used, but many aren't getting the training to fully participate in what comes next. In our research, 46% of employers say workers age 40+ make most or all decisions about how AI is used at their organizations. And there are signs that older workers are embracing the technology. The number of workers 50+ who listed AI among their LinkedIn skills grew 25% over five years, nearly twice the rate of growth among younger workers. Yet access to training hasn't kept pace. While 49% of workers age 50+ say they're interested in learning more about using AI at work, only 12% have completed AI-focused training or coursework. And only one-third say their employer is doing enough to prepare them for AI. That disconnect could mean employers are overlooking an important piece of their AI strategy. AARP research cited in the article points to critical thinking, creative problem-solving, judgment, and ethical oversight as important skills for realizing AI's potential in the workplace. These are skills that experienced workers can bring to the table, particularly when paired with opportunities to build new technical skills. The writer also highlights recent research from Boston College finding that workers age 55+ in AI-exposed occupations are exiting employment at higher rates, raising questions about how workplaces can adapt without leaving experienced workers behind. Read finance journalist Damilola Esebame, CFEI®’s piece on the AI training gap and what it could mean for older workers and employers: http://spr.ly/6006B1t65q Explore some of the AARP research behind the story: • AI, Employers, and the Multigenerational Workforce: http://spr.ly/6004B1tMB8 • Guiding AI Forward: The Critical Role of Older Workers: http://spr.ly/6005B1tMG9 • How AI is Impacting the Future of Work Among Adults Age 50-Plus: http://spr.ly/6000B1tM3O #FutureOfWork #Technology #ArtificialIntelligence #AgeInclusion

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲? A recent Bloomberg Businessweek article explores a tension playing out in communities across the country: America needs more housing for older adults, yet new senior housing proposals can face opposition from older residents themselves. The article describes how, despite trends, many older people don't anticipate needing senior housing themselves and don't always think ahead, quoting Rodney Harrell, PhD Harrell, Vice President, Family, Home and Community at the AARP Public Policy Institute, who says, “I call it ‘the after’ — after the fall, after the hospital visit, after the spouse passes, after I stopped driving. Folks perhaps didn’t think about the fact that they might need other options at some point, and now they can’t stay in their neighborhood, where there’s nothing but other large single-family homes that are isolated.” For policymakers, planners, housing advocates, and community leaders, the takeaway is clear: preparing for an aging population requires more than building housing. It requires trust, community engagement, affordability, accessibility, and honest conversations about how our own needs may change over time. 🗞️ Read the full Bloomberg Businessweek article: http://spr.ly/6009BGJeYR   🔗 Explore AARP’s resources on livable communities and aging in place: http://spr.ly/6002BGJelr  #AgingInPlace #AffordableHousing #LivableCommunities #HousingPolicy

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Nearly 5 million Medicaid enrollees age 50–64, many with serious health conditions, will be subject to new work requirements and are at risk of losing coverage. Barriers to work increase with age, and Congress broadly exempted people with disabilities and serious or complex medical conditions to ensure they maintained access to vital health coverage. Recently released federal rules narrow this important exemption and increase documentation requirements. As a result, midlife adults with serious conditions like cancer or Parkison’s may lose access to lifesaving treatment as they struggle to fill out paperwork and prove their condition significantly impairs their ability to work.     A new AARP Public Policy Institute report by Andrea Callow explains what Medicaid community engagement requirements will mean for midlife adults and explores new rules’ impact on people with serious health conditions who rely on Medicaid to stay well and independent. ➡️ Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eWBMUvZZ  #Medicaid #HealthPolicy #HealthCare

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲? A recent The New York Times article by Joanne Cleaver explores a growing at-home care model designed to support aging in place — an option that aligns with what many older adults say they want. According to the AARP Home and Community Preferences survey, about 75% of American adults said they hoped to stay in their longtime homes, or “age in place,” as long as possible, while only 29% of older adults said the traditional continuing care model was a likely choice.    The article highlights why this matters: traditional continuing care retirement communities can provide access to escalating levels of care, but often come with significant entry and monthly fees. By comparison, at-home continuing care models allow members to remain in their own homes while gaining access to coordinated care and, in some cases, community amenities and support. As more Americans plan for longer lives, the demand for flexible, affordable, and person-centered care options will only grow. 🗞️ Read the full New York Times article here: http://spr.ly/6004BGJeok   🏡 Dive into AARP’s Home and Community Preference series here: http://spr.ly/6008BGJeSM  #AgingInPlace #LongTermCare #HealthyAging #Caregiving #Housing

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟱𝟬+ 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? AARP’s new AI & Health: 2026 50-Plus Consumer Pulse Series provides a data-driven pulse of consumer sentiment and experience with AI in health over time — with the first two parts available now. For adults age 50+, these tools have the potential to serve as sensemaking tools for health information, support care coordination, reduce caregiver burden, and improve outcomes and independence. At the same time, adoption depends on critical questions around trust, transparency, accuracy, usability, oversight, and human involvement in care. This four-part series examines how people age 50+ are experiencing AI across:  🔍 Personal health, wellness, and caregiving  🔍 Health care providers and services  🔍 Trust, transparency, and perceived risks  🔍 Digital literacy, access, and usability Grounded in a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, the series informs consumers, health care organizations, technology developers, policymakers, and researchers shaping the future of AI in health. The goal: ensure AI-enabled solutions are practical, trusted, and built to improve care and everyday health. 🔗 Find the first two parts of AARP’s AI & Health: 2026 50-Plus Consumer Pulse Series now: http://spr.ly/6008BGJeiK  #AIHealth #HealthyAging #HealthTech #Caregiving #DigitalHealth

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟭, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 — 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻. While many adults worry about cancer, stroke, heart disease, hearing or vision loss, mobility challenges, and Alzheimer’s disease, the largest gender gap is around Alzheimer’s: 62% of women express concern, compared with 49% of men. The data also show why Alzheimer’s feels personal for so many families: 🔹 43% of adults have had a close relative with Alzheimer’s disease  🔹 Similar shares of men and women report this family connection: 42% of men and 46% of women  🔹 Nearly 1 in 5 adults have had a parent with Alzheimer’s disease  🔹 55% of adults believe memory loss is normal and unavoidable with age  🔹 At the same time, 55% of adults know there are steps that may help reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease  🔹 68% of adults recognize that lifestyle choices — such as exercise and managing heart health — can affect future risk These findings show the opportunities for healthcare leaders and policy makers: to continue building awareness that brain health matters across the life course, support families affected by Alzheimer’s, and help more people understand the role that prevention, early conversations, and healthy behaviors can play. 👉 Explore AARP research on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia: http://spr.ly/6002BGJeXY 📝 Neel Viswanathan & Laura Mehegan, AARP Research #WorldAlzheimersDay #BrainHealth #HealthyAging

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. AARP survey findings reveal that among adults age 40+, stigma surrounding addiction remains persistently high. In 2024, 85% said they believe addiction is stigmatized, similar to 87% in 2021 and 83% in 2023. However, the research also points to progress in attitudes toward some health conditions. The share who believe mental illness is stigmatized declined from 78% in 2021 to 65% in 2024, while perceived stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment also declined. These shifts are encouraging, but the findings underscore the need for greater understanding and empathy toward people living with addiction and other health-related conditions. This National Recovery Month, read more from Laura Mehegan on social stigma and health: http://spr.ly/6009B1sfKH #NationalRecoveryMonth #Addiction #Recovery #MentalHealth

𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 — 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻. A new AARP report drawing on data from the Amplify AAPI Panel — the nation’s first multilingual, probability-based survey panel designed to represent AAPI adults — provides nationally representative insights into brain health attitudes and behaviors across AAPI communities. The findings show strong interest in brain-healthy behaviors: most AAPI adults say they would engage in mentally stimulating activities (80%), eat a healthy diet (75%), get enough sleep (74%), and exercise regularly (72%) if they knew those behaviors could help maintain mental functioning. At the same time, intentions do not always translate into action. Only about half (51%) report getting at least seven hours of sleep most nights or every night, and 59% socialize with friends or family at least weekly. 🔗 Read AARP’s latest research on brain health, dementia awareness, and healthy aging across AAPI communities: http://spr.ly/6007BGJebD 📝 Matrika Chapagain, Ph.D., AARP Research #BrainHealth #HealthyAging #AAPI #DementiaAwareness

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, 𝗔𝗔𝗥𝗣 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟱𝟬+ 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮. As we celebrate the month, we highlight AARP research on the experiences of Hispanic adults age 50+ — a growing and diverse population. Today, there are 15 million Hispanic adults age 50+ in the U.S., a number projected to reach 19 million by the end of the decade, representing 15% of the 50-plus population. When we asked Hispanic Americans about what matters to them, they told us their top priorities reflect salud, dinero, y amor:   🏃♀️ maintaining physical health (63%)  🫶 keeping loved ones safe (58%)  💵 financial security (57%)  🧑⚕️ maintaining mental and emotional health (54%)  🧠 staying mentally sharp (52%) In addition, family was the top personal value by far (59%), shaping many health, financial, caregiving, and cultural decisions. While there is much that Hispanic adults 50+ share, they have diverse backgrounds, perspectives, priorities, and concerns. By understanding what matters, decision makers and business leaders can better connect with this vibrant and growing community.  🌐 Dive into AARP’s research on Hispanic adults age 50+: http://spr.ly/6001BGJeTF 📝 Sarah Conroy Kerman #HispanicHeritageMonth #HealthyAging #Caregiving

As more people in low- and middle-income countries reach older age, ensuring they have the resources to age with financial security is becoming increasingly important. For #women, the challenge can be particularly pronounced, as they tend to live longer than men while facing greater income insecurity in older age. The Aging Readiness and Competitiveness (ARC) 5.0 Insights Brief examines the roots of this gender gap and the policies that could help close it. Differences in employment opportunities, earnings, formal-sector participation, and time spent providing unpaid care can accumulate across a woman’s lifetime. In low- and middle-income countries, fewer than 10% of working-age women are covered by pension schemes, compared with 20% of working-age men. Against this backdrop, the report looks at the role social pensions can play in providing income to older adults who lack access to traditional pension benefits. Existing research suggests that the benefits of social pensions can extend beyond income, including reducing poverty and improving food security, health care utilization, mental health, and social participation. While the evidence on social pensions is promising, less is known about other interventions designed to improve income security for older women. The report points to the need for further research while exploring a broader range of approaches, including stronger pension and health systems, long-term care systems, and financial literacy programs. Produced by Economist Enterprise with support from AARP, this report is part of AARP’s Aging Readiness and Competitiveness initiative, which examines how countries can better prepare for population aging. Explore the full report and potential policy solutions: http://spr.ly/6007B1t6HB Vijeth Iyengar, Ph.D. Peter Rundlet #IncomeSecurity #GenderEquity #HealthyAging