Women often enter retirement with lower incomes and fewer assets compared to men. Contributing factors include lower lifetime earnings and a higher likelihood of living alone. In Central Indiana, older women (age 65 and over) on average have approximately 60 percent of the personal income of older men. 

Within Central Indiana’s older adult population (age 65 and over), women are almost two times more likely than men to have depression and also more likely to have Alzheimer’s disease.

The number of older women residing in nursing homes rises sharply with age, reflecting a greater need for assistance. At the same time, and due to generally more limited financial resources, older women are more likely to rely on public insurance for low-income individuals (i.e., Medicaid) to pay for long-term care. In Central Indiana, older women are 1.7 times more likely to reside in a nursing home than men, and more likely to rely on Medicaid for long-term care. 

On May 16 we explored Central Indiana trends in the socioeconomic wellbeing of older women, implications for their long-term health and wellbeing, and ideas for planning and building their networks of support. Presented by The Central Indiana Senior Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, in partnership with The Polis Center and WFYI Public Media. Read our report and watch the webinar recording!