Aging Across the United States

Charles Lockhart is Professor of Political Science at Texas Christian University. Jean Giles-Sims is Professor of Sociology at Texas Christian University.

“Aging Across the United States is a significant contribution to scholarly understanding of the differences among states in the opportunities and services that they provide for older residents. Never before in the gerontological literature has such a wide array of comparative quantitative indicators been integrated into a single volume. Through engaging case studies of older people, the book also shows how those who are geographically mobile can make a series of moves late in life to take advantage of what various states have to offer. The case studies will stimulate thinking among people approaching retirement about whether they should plan to relocate to another state, and if so, where. Public officials in states will find the indicators useful in refining their policies to attract and retain productive and affluent older people. State officials will also be sensitized to the dilemma that strong, publicly subsidized supportive services for dependent older people encourage in-migration of older people who are attracted to the services. At another level, the book invites questions about why the federal government does not do more to assist states in making it attractive for their older residents to remain a part of the communities in which they have lived most of their adult lives.”—Frank Caro, Professor Emeritus of Gerontology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston

• ContentsList of Figures/MapsList of TablesPrefaceIntroduction1.Finding Active Fun and Companionship in a Warm Climate2.Making Meaningful Contributions and Finding Supportive Communities3.Finding Affordability and Safety4.Sustaining Health and Obtaining High-Quality Medical Care5.Finding Accessible and High-Quality Long-Term Care6.Putting It All Together: Explaining State Variation in Senior FriendlinessEpilogueAppendix: State RankingsNotesSelected ReadingsIndex