A comprehensive look at older adults in Central Indiana
Older adults (those age 55 and older) are the fastest growing demographic in Central Indiana. Approximately 20,000 individuals in Central Indiana reach the age of 60 every year. By the year 2030, one in every five residents will be over the age of 65.
To enhance the ability of older adults to live and thrive in Central Indiana, it is important to understand the population trends, notable changes, and basic needs of this growing demographic. To this end, the Central Indiana Senior Fund is partnering with The Polis Center at IUPUI, IU Center for Aging Research, and IU Public Policy Institute’s Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy to develop the annual State of Aging in Central Indiana Report.
Last update: April 2021
Interactive Profile
Dive deeper into the data in this report. Select a community and see visualizations over time and disaggregated by demographic groups.
Read the Report
Each chapter of the report is listed below. Scroll to the bottom to download the entire report or all the data.
INTRODUCTION & EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Executive summary, equity overview, and key findings.
DEMOGRAPHICS
An overview of population trends and household characteristics of older adults (age 55+) in Central Indiana.
Basic Needs
FINANCIAL STABILITY
An assessment of the financial stability (household income, poverty levels) and experiences of older adults in Central Indiana.
FOOD INSECURITY
Food insecurity among Central Indiana’s older adults, including food access and barriers to food security.
HOUSING
Housing affordability, homeownership, housing instability, and barriers to obtaining housing in Central Indiana.
SAFETY AND ABUSE
Elder abuse and crime, including perceptions and experiences affecting the physical safety of older adults in Central Indiana.
TRANSPORTATION
Public transit access and older adults’ concerns related to transportation barriers.
Living in the Community
AGING IN PLACE
Benefits and challenges of older adults staying in their homes and in their communities.
SOCIAL WELLBEING
Social inclusion, community, isolation, and purposeful living.
Health and Wellbeing
HEALTH OUTCOMES
Mortality rates, rates of disease, notable changes, and disparities in the health of older adults in Central Indiana.
HEALTH CARE
Availability and use of health care and of home- and community-based services.
CAREGIVING
Caregiving by and for older adults, including the benefits and risks and associated resources.
Contributors
Central Indiana Senior Fund Advisory Board
H. Ken Bennett, Center for At-Risk Elders
C. Andrew Class, M.D., St. Vincent Stress Center
Susan Guyett, Retired
Kim Jacobs, Television Producer and Writer
James Leich, Retired President, LeadingAge Indiana
Jane Malkoff, Scout Advocacy
Ellen Miller, UIndy Center for Aging & Community
Keesha Dixon, Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis
Candace Preston, Veterans Health Administration
Heather Hershberger, Consultant
State of Aging in Central Indiana Report Advisory Committee
Gerald Ardis, Flanner House
Duane Etienne, President Emeritus, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions
Pat Healey, Ascension Health
Kathryn McEntire, RCI
Ellen Miller, UIndy Center for Agency and Community
Michelle Niemier, Center for At-Risk Elders
Todd Wagoner, Community Health Network
Carolyn Watts, Retired, Indiana Department of Child Services
Ruth Williams, Edna Martin Christian Center
Dustin Ziegler, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions
Produced by The Polis Center at IUPUI and SAVI in partnership with the IU Center for Aging Research, and the IU Public Policy Institute’s Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy.
IU Center for Aging Research (IUCAR), Regenstrief Institute
Nicole Keith, Research Scientist
Steven Counsell, Research Scientist
Dan Clark, Research Scientist
Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy (CRISP)
Breanca Merritt, Chief Health Equity and ADA Officer, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (Founding Director of the Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy)
Kelsie Stringham-Marquis, Research Coordinator, IU Public Policy Institute (PPI)
Katie Rukes, Program Analyst, PPI
The Polis Center at IUPUI (Polis)
Karen F Comer, Director, Collaborative Research
Rebecca Nannery, Senior Research Analyst
Jeramy Townsley, Faculty Research Analyst
Unai Miguel Andres, Research Analyst
Jay Colbert, Data Manager
Matt Nowlin, User Experience Designer
LaShawnda Crowe Storm, Community Organizer
Sharon Kandris, Associate Director
Research Support
Amnah Anwar, Research Assistant, Polis
Mackenzie Dafferner, Research Assistant, IUCAR
Mandy Dhillon, Research Assistant, Polis
Destiny Faceson, Research Assistant, CRISP
Weston Jones, Research Assistant, CRISP
Patrick Lai, Graduate Research Assistant, Polis
Rubi Mallers, Graduate Research Assistant, PPI
Emma Morone, Graduate Intern, Polis
Melissa Sherman, Graduate Research Assistant, IUCAR