Resolution on the 2015 White House Conference on Aging

Adopted by the Council of Representatives, February 2015. (Suggested citation is included with references.)

Whereas since 1961, the decennial White House Conferences on Aging (WHCoA) has been an important forum for aging policy recommendations to the President and Congress and for assisting the public and private sector in the promotion of dignity, health, independence and economic security of the current and future generations of older persons;

Whereas the first group of the 78 million persons in the United States who constitute the demographic phenomenon called the "baby boomers" began turning 65 years of age in 2011 and that 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 years or older by the year 2030 (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2012);

Whereas the U.S. Census Bureau projects that the population age 85 and over could grow from 5.5 million in 2010 to 19 million by 2050;

Whereas the older population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse as the overall minority population grows and experiences greater longevity. In 2013, 21% of persons 65+ were members of racial or ethnic minority populations, with a projected increase to 28% by 2030. Between 2012 and 2030, the White (non-Hispanic) population age 65+ is projected to increase by 54% compared with 126% for older racial and ethnic minority populations, including Hispanics (155%), African-Americans (non-Hispanic) (104%), American Indian and Native Alaskans (non- Hispanic) (116%), and Asians (non-Hispanic) (119%) (Administration on Aging, 2013);

Whereas in 2012, there were 24.3 million older women and 18.8 million older men, or a sex ratio of 129 women for every 100 men, with the ratio increasing to 200 women for every 100 men at age 85 and older (Administration on Aging, 2013);

Whereas 14.5 million older adults (38% of the 65+ population) report having some level of disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008), with older women spending more years and a greater proportion of their lives with disabilities than men (APA, 2013);

Whereas approximately three million of all persons 65 years of age who currently live in The United States were born outside of the United States, and by 2050, 16 million older adults will be foreign born (Pew Research Center, 2008);

Whereas 1.5 million older adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, and as a group experience unique economic, health, and care disparities, as well as stigma and social inequalities (APA, 2013);

Whereas it is estimated that by 2015 half of HIV-infected persons living in the United States will be 50 years of age or older (Heckman & Hailkitis, 2014; Justice, 2010);

Whereas in virtually every area of physical and mental health, older adults face disparities, with such disparities highest among older adults who are from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, members of sexual minority groups, rural-residing, and economically disadvantaged (APA, 2009);

Whereas older adults—particularly those who are ethnic minority, sexual minority, rural-residing, disabled, and economically disadvantaged—have problems accessing health care, including mental health care, because of poorly integrated systems of care, and a limited number of culturally competent health professionals with training in aging (IOM, 2012; President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003);

Whereas i n response to the unprecedented growth, diversity, and needs of the older population in the United States and across the globe, the roles and functions of psychologists are expanding rapidly (APA, 2014);

Whereas the concerted advocacy efforts of APA and others involved in the 2005 White House Conference resulted in "Recognition, Assessment, and Treatment of Mental Illness and Depression Among Older Americans," "Support for Geriatric Education and Training for All Healthcare Professionals," and, "Attain Adequate Numbers of Healthcare Personnel in All Professions Who are Skilled, Culturally Competent, and Specialized Geriatrics;" being included in the top 10 policy recommendations for addressing the needs of America's aging population;

Whereas psychological research provides a solid empirical foundation for understanding and addressing each of the four themes identified by the White House for the 2015 Conference and elaborated upon below - retirement security; long-term services and supports; healthy aging; and financial exploitation, abuse and neglect;

Retirement Security

Whereas 34 percent of older adults live below 200 percent of the poverty threshold (Kaiser, 2013) and rates of poverty among older women are almost twice as high than those of older men (11% vs. 6%), with the highest poverty rates among older Hispanic women (41.6%) who live alone and older Black women (33%) who live alone (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013);

Whereas approximately 85 percent of older adults with income receive Social Security income, and for 21 percent of these older adults, Social Security is their sole source of income (Social Security Administration, 2006; U.S. Census Bureau, 2006);

Whereas psychological research provides evidence that employment offers intrinsic rewards, such as feelings of competence, positive self-esteem, autonomy, self-direction, and intellectual engagement (James & Spiro, 2007; Sauter, Streit, & Hanseman, 2009);

Whereas psychological research contributes to the understanding and development of age friendly workplaces through the use of technology, ergonomics and life-long learning, which benefits all employees regardless of age and may prevent premature retirement of older workers with many years of experience and special skills (Czaja & Sharit 2009);

Whereas more employees in mid- and late life will assume the role of family caregiving for an aging spouse or relative, and many will combine work and caregiving responsibilities that often results in loss of productivity, negative physical and mental health outcomes (APA, 2011), and long-term consequences for retirement security (MetLife Mature Market Institute, 2011);

Whereas retirement security extends beyond financial planning and assets, to include adaptation to changes in time usage, roles, social interactions, and family relationships associated with this life transition (Adams & Rau, 2011);

Long-term Services and Supports

Whereas 65.7 million Americans (29% of the United States adult population) identify themselves as family caregivers, including 43.5 million adults who are caring for a relative aged 50 or older, and 14.9 million who are providing care for a family member with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia (National Alliance for Caregiving, 2009) that amounts to nearly 450ドル billion in uncompensated care annually (AARP, 2011);

Whereas psychologists have developed evidenced-based interventions and supportive services to help families manage the stresses associated with caregiving including negative changes in caregivers' physical and emotional health, financial situation and personal relationships (APA, 2011);

Whereas evidence suggests that integrated care models, which integrate psychologists and other mental health providers within non-mental health settings such as primary care, senior service centers and faith-based organizations, can enhance access to services, improve quality of care, improve health and lower overall healthcare expenditures (Areán, & Gum, 2013; APA, 2008);

Whereas a well-supported professional workforce that is competent to address the growing mental and behavioral health needs of older adults and their caregivers is a critical component of providing the long-term services and supports to enable older adults to maintain their health and independence (IOM, 2012);

Whereas psychologists are active in developing user-friendly technologies as a means of providing effective remote or off-site treatment, monitoring and promoting functional independence, and educating older adults and others about the aging process and use of technology to ensure access for older adults (Charness, 2014);

Healthy Aging

Whereas psychological research has found that staying physically, cognitively and socially active prolongs vitality, and is associated with a host of physical and psychological benefits including better functional health, greater cognitive alertness, and higher life satisfaction and psychological well-being, and has contributed to our understanding of strategies to promote healthy behaviors across the lifespan (APA, 2014);

Whereas it is well-established that mental health and well-being are critical to optimal functioning, physical health, and satisfying social relationships among older adults (Carstensen, 2011; Rowe & Kahn, 1998);

Whereas psychological research and education expand knowledge of the normal aging process for the general public, aging and health service providers, and policy makers;

Whereas psychologists have made significant progress in showing that later-life famiily, intimate relations, friendship, meaningful social interactions (Blieszner & Roberto, 2012), and intergenerational relationships (Fingerman, Brown & Blieszner, 2011; Bengtson & Oyama, 2010) are integral to sustaining well-being and promoting resilience in older adulthood;

Financial Exploitation, Abuse and Neglect

Whereas psychological research and practice provides insights about the risks and protective factors for financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect of older adults, and the interventions to ameliorate the psychological and emotional effects of elder abuse (APA, 2012);

Whereas psychological counseling for behavioral or personal problems in the family can play a significant role in helping people change lifelong patterns of abusive behavior or find solutions to problems emerging from current stresses (Qualls & Williams, 2013);

Whereas enhanced educational and mental health counseling can help break patterns of abuse or neglect, and both the person experiencing the abuse and the abuser can receive needed help (APA, 2012);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Psychological Association:

Affirms the importance of the White House Conference on Aging as a vital forum for the discussion of issues of aging particularly as American society anticipates an unprecedented number and percentage of citizens who will be 65 years of age and older;

Encourages psychologists to continue to expand their involvement in promoting the vitality and quality of life of all older adults through scientific research, clinical practice, teaching, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that American Psychological Association encourages the planners and delegates of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging to:

Expand upon and further implement the 2005 WHCoA policy recommendations on the geriatric workforce; and recognition, assessment, and treatment of mental health conditions in late life;

Support the selection of psychologists with knowledge and expertise in aging issues and the conference themes as advisors and contributors in order to bring the discipline's unique and important perspective to the proceedings of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging;

Utilize the resources developed by APA to inform its proceedings, including Prolonging Vitality: Insights from Psychological Science, Life Plan for the Life Spanopens in new window (PDF, 2MB), The Family Caregiver Briefcase, Elder abuse: How to spot warning signs, get help and report mistreatment, and the joint ABA Commission on Law and Aging & American Psychological Association's Assessment of Older Adults with Diminished Capacity handbook series for lawyers, judges and psychologists;

Consider the diversity of the aging experience including race, religion, ethnicity, language, national origin, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, health and disability status, socioeconomic factors, and family composition in all its deliberations as these factors and their intersectionalities are critical to understanding and providing services to our older population;

Encourage employers to support older workers by providing ergonomically designed workplaces; life-long learning opportunities; flexible policies that allow time for caregiving responsibilities; caregiver services such as education, counseling, information, referral, and case management; and options such as part-time jobs, bridge employment and retirement and lifestyle planning classes;

Support advocacy efforts to maintain a strong safety net for all older adults through Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which support independence and aging in place;

Support reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and adequate funding for its programs, including the mental health provisions enacted in its 2006 reauthorization;

Support reauthorization of the Lifespan Respite Care Program that offers short-term care for caregivers and adequate funding for its programs;

Build a workforce with the skills to provide the appropriate level of high-quality, culturally competent mental health and substance use care to older adults and their caregivers using the guidance and recommendations developed by the 2012 IOM study, The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults: In Whose Hands?opens in new window;

Support efforts to provide financial support to students who pursue aging-related education and careers, and for educational programs that provide advanced training in aging;

Support public policies to increase aging research and prevention and intervention efforts, including innovative models to promote healthy aging and reduce health disparities;

Support the development and replication of person-centered, evidence-based integrated health care services that include psychological treatments/interventions for older adults and family caregivers, with increased emphasis on community-based treatment approaches, as well as approaches suited to health care settings;

Increase access to evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion services with the potential for promoting health, including cognitive health through increased coverage of these services;

Encourage funding for the Elder Justice Act;

Encourage funding of basic and translational research on elder rights issues aimed at reducing elder abuse and improving the quality of life of caregivers and care recipients;

Encourage the development of comprehensive, evidence-based data needed to determine which strategies and programs work best to prevent elder abuse and to advocate for state and federal support for their implementation.

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