Economic need among older Latinos: Applying the Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index

In this study published by the National Institute of Health, the authors propose the Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (Elder Index) as a more accurate measure of need. The Elder Index looks at the true cost of living in every California county using data from the American Community Survey and other public data sources. The results show that the amount needed for basic economic security in California is higher than the federal poverty level in all counties, and averages about twice the federal level. Particularly hard hit are Latino elders, who “are already struggling to make ends meet under current policies, let alone after cutbacks,” write the authors.

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