Elders Living on the Edge: When Meeting Basic Needs Exceeds Available Income in Illinois

Publication Date: June 2008

Publisher: Health and Medicine Policy Research Group (Chicago, Ill.); Health and Medicine Policy Research Group (Chicago, Ill.)

Author(s):

Research Area: Economics; Population and demographics

Keywords: economic security; illinois; illinois elders; policy brief

Type: Brief

Coverage: Illinois

Abstract:

How much income do elders in Illinois need to
meet the rising costs of living? What are the
real effects of public support programs, such
as Medicaid, utility assistance, or housing
assistance, on their expenses and income
needs? To answer these questions accurately,
policymakers, advocates and social service
providers require an actual measure of income
adequacy. The national Elder Economic Security
Initiative program, a multi-year, research-driven
initiative to raise awareness and promote policy
change for older adults, offers such a benchmark
the Elder Economic Security Standard Index
(Elder Index).