WSASC Joins the Elder Economic Security Initiative Coalition

The Washington Association of Area agencies on Aging (W4A), in partnership with Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW), is leading a statewide initiative to ensure that Washington’s elders are able to age in place with dignity.
 
The Washington Elder Economic Security Initiative will provide a framework and tools to build the economic security of Washington’s elders. Through a combination of organizing, research, advocacy and outreach, the Initiative will provide important new information to illustrate the basic costs that older adults in Washington face and how their economic security is affected when their life circumstances change. The Initiative will use this information to educate seniors about actual living costs to inform their financial, employment and life decisions. In addition, it will help local and state agencies serving seniors set goals, evaluate needs and design programs to help older adults age in place.
 
A key component of the Initiative is the Elder Economic Security Standard Index (Elder Index), a realistic and geographically based measure of income adequacy for seniors 65 and over. The Elder Index, developed by the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts – Boston using credible national and state data sets, will measure the income seniors need to meet such basic expenses as housing and health care. Unlike the federal poverty level, the Elder Index is calibrated to household size, geographic area and life circumstances, and is broken down on a county-by-county basis. It includes costs for housing, food, health care, transportation and other miscellaneous goods.
 
According to W4A, “Washington residents age 65 and over represent 12% of the state’s population. In just 10 years, this percentage is projected to increase to 20% of the state’s population.” In the years ahead, the Initiative will provide important information to policy makers, service providers and advocates in Washington and across the US working to ensure the economic security of elders and their families.
 
WHAT IS THE COALITON?
 
A coalition of diverse stakeholders that includes policy makers, advocates, direct services providers, researchers, elders, caregivers, baby boomers, media, public agencies and senior membership organizations with a commitment to supporting the well-being of elders and their families. The coalition is a catalyst for social change working together to achieve a common goal.
 
WHY A COALITION?
 
· To positively affect policies and programs

· To increase communication and coordination between groups

· To plan and launch state and community wide efforts

· To advocate in a more cost effective and visible manner

· To pool resources among groups with common goals

· To advance the common good and broaden impact


WHY SHOULD MY AGENCY BE INTERESTED?
 
· The Index can be used to evaluate which low-income support programs best help seniors meet income adequacy.

· Service providers use the Index to accurately evaluate client needs and seek additional funding to increase capacity.

· Advocates use the Index to more effectively make the case for policy changes.

· Policymakers use the Index to evaluate policy decisions, improve the efficiency of existing services by measuring which programs and policies are most effective in helping elders reach economic security and directing limited funds to appropriate programs.


For more information or if you are interested in working closely with this project please call Antonia at 206-790-8087.