Not many publications are reviewing the year through the lens of 50+. Huffington post has the only review I've found. Besides Huff post, the only thing I got trying to search for one through Google was a review for 50 year old single malt scotch whiskey! So, pour yourself a glass of whiskey, wine or tea, and relax, here's my look back at 2012.
Since you're reading this blog you may be one of more than half of all 65+ adults now online using the Internet and/or email. A good summary of that Pew Research Center study with links to 2012 digital research can be found at Senior Housing News. Other 2012 research looked at how our feelings on aging impact our rate of recovery and healing after accidents or illness and how positive thinking appears to affect health and longevity. Perhaps some of the biggest research news came out in May when Health and Human Services announced the National Alzheimer's Plan . The plan is the first step in action outlined by The National Alzheimers Project Act (NAPA). The President's proposed 2013 budget includes increased funding for the plan's Alzheimers education, research, awareness programs, data collection and caregiver support. One in eight older americans experienced Alzheimers in 2012 according to the latest facts.
The big headline grabbers in 2012 were the Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act(ACA) or Obamacare and the fight over Social Security and Medicare funding. Republicans and many Democrats demanded cuts and changes to Social Security however public opinion favored preservation of those programs. For now, Social Security spending seems safe but electeds may launch another challenge in 2013. In June, The Supreme Court surprisingly ruled Obamacare constitutional. Among other benefits for older adults, the ACA provides significant help with drug costs in Part D insured prescription drug plans. Despite the June ruling a new challenge was mounted in November and more legal wrangling will roll into 2013
Besides front page policy there were other important political issues in 2012. In September the Senate introduced legislation to reauthorize and expand the Older Americans Act from the 60's. This bill funds Meals on Wheels, housing and social services for the +65 cohort. Improvements in the 2012 proposed legislation include dental care, special help for vets, and other great advances. A related bill would improve calculations for social security cost of living adjustments but, at this writing, these important bills have not advanced.
In February a study by the University of California at San Francisco found that quality of life is closely tied to a sense of control and dignity. While this isn't news to anyone over 50 the findings were used to lift awareness with caregivers and staff where older americans and older americans with disabilities and limitations live.
In March 2012 Wider Opportunities for Women published census analysis showing that 60% of women over 65 living alone or with a spouse don't earn enough money to meet basic daily expenses.
In April many of us accessed forms and publications for older Americans at IRS.gov. AARP and IRS both provided free tax assistance for people over 50.
In May Meals on Wheels released their first Senior Hunger Report Card. The report found that since 2001 hunger among older Americans has increased by 78%. One in seven over the age of 60 went hungry in 2010 the report said.
In June the University of California at San Francisco published a study linking loneliness in older Americans to serious health impacts. It surprised medical researchers to find "subjective feelings" so closely linked with health outcomes. Loneliness, they also found, was separate from depression and didn't mean that a person lived alone.
In July we learned that more than 3 1/2 million housing loans to 50+ owners were strained because owners were underwater. In other words they owned more on their loans than their houses were worth. In the years between '07 and '11, 1 1/2 million 50+ home owners lost their houses because of mortgage problems
In August marketers turned their sights to baby boomers because of Nielsonwire's report, "Introducing Boomers: Marketers Most Valuable Generation." Boomers, most of whom are over 50, are on track to control 70% of America's disposable income in 5 years.
In September an animal study from Washington University led researchers to wonder if disruptions in our sleep wake cycles are an early warning of Alzheimers.
In October the Supreme Court announced their 2013 docket which will include a case that impacts the ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act). And there may have been a breakthrough on slowing the aging process -- how about this wild study announced in October .
In November we learned that 1 in 6 Americans over 65 are in poverty often forced there by medical problems or the cost of medicines.
In December AARP released the annual survey on civic involvement. If findings are predictive you voted, you gave to a charitable cause but probably a little less than last year, your civic involvement is focused locally, you're volunteering more and you're moderately social--visiting with friends and pursuing hobbies and leisure activity.
That's my look back at 2012. Happy New Year readers!
Update March 2013: Take a look at these 7 key issues about money from US News
Update Dec 2013: followups on issues in this blog:
Supreme court dismisses Age Discrimination in Employment Act in October 2013
A new report on older Americans states 8.6% or 3.6 million people over 65 years of age were below the official poverty level of $11,490/ year. If the poverty level was revised from it's outdated 1965 formula this count would rise to 15.1% A state by state chart of poverty numbers is available at page 11 of this study.
More sleep research surfaced in 2013 and it appears that sleep is necessary to clear toxins in our brains preventing plaques and tangles from forming. Could this account for the connection between sleeplessness and memory problems?
Hunger is still a major problem for older Americans. 1 in 12 over 60 years of age were "food insecure" in the latest figures from 2011. That appears to improve on the 1 in 7 who were documented hungry by Meals on Wheels in 2010 however the latest report is from a different source so data or tallying could vary. Meals on Wheels sustained funding cuts this year and didn't publish a new report in 2013.
