Older adults in Central Indiana experience aging differently based on their race, ethnicity, income levels, and other factors. Systemic inequity – which includes systemic racism and biases against gender, income, sexual orientation, and others – exists across multiple systems. These behaviors are difficult to overcome without the support and influence of external entities to call out the negative efforts and identify solutions to address those issues.
On Thursday, April 22, The Polis Center at IUPUI, SAVI, WFYI, the IU Public Policy Institute, the IU Center on Aging Research, and the Central Indiana Senior Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, will co-host the SAVI Talks: Equity and Aging webinar. We will look at existing financial stability inequities among Central Indiana’s older adult population and consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rebecca Nannery, Senior Research Analyst, The Polis Center, and Katie Rukes, Program Analyst, IU Public Policy Institute’s Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, will present findings using a social-ecological model as a framework for interpreting the implications of the available data.
A panel discussion will follow on how these inequities are experienced by older adults and consider needed community action. Panelists include Tauhric Brown, Exec. Dir., CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions; Breanca Merritt, Chief Equity & ADA Officer, Family and Social Services Administration; Annie Smith, Community Ambassador, Central Indiana Community Foundation; and Carolyn Watts, Retiree, Flanner House participant and State of Aging in Indiana advisory committee member. Brittani Howell, Community Engagement Specialist, WFYI Side Effects Media, will moderate the discussion.
The findings draw from the State of Aging in Central Indiana Report, which was developed to serve as the premiere source of data related to growing older in Central Indiana. The report was developed by the Central Indiana Senior Fund in collaboration with The Polis Center at IUPUI, IU Public Policy Institute, and IU Center for Aging Research. In addition to this report, the joint endeavor produces issue briefs on emerging topics and an interactive information portal, which was published April 16.
