Center for the Study of Aging

The RAND Center for the Study of Aging conducts objective, independent, behavioral research on elderly populations worldwide.

The Center's interdisciplinary research staff aims to help improve public policy through both primary data collection and secondary data analysis. Its research agenda focuses on the interrelationships among health, economic status, socioeconomic factors, and public policy.

Learn More about the Center

News and Events

  • An elderly couple leaves an evacuation center as a wildfire forces the center itself to be evacuated, Poway, California, October 21, 2007, photo by Mike Blake/Reuters

    Turning Off Power to Combat Wildfires Could Harm the Very People Who Need Protection

    Oct 28, 2019

    Intentionally shutting off power may be a practical way to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires. But is it worth the risks? Until more thoughtful and comprehensive decisions are made, planned power outages need to be planned better.

  • The Effect of Housing Wealth Losses on Spending in the Great Recession

    Sep 20, 2019

    Middle-aged and older Americans reduced household spending following losses in housing wealth during the Great Recession. These changes in spending could have exacerbated the effect of the crisis, and may shed light on the dynamics of household spending in future recession events.

  • Senior couple in a car

    How AVs Could Provide Independence for Older Drivers

    Sep 21, 2018

    Giving up driving has been linked to depression and isolation in older adults, as well as early entry into nursing home facilities. Autonomous vehicles could help improve the well-being of older adults by allowing them to maintain independence while still giving up their car keys.

Projects

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    What Economic and Health Effects Has the Financial Crisis Had on Older Households?

    What effect has the financial crisis had on households and health? RAND researchers seek to quantify the effects of the crisis on older U.S. households, and the adjustments made in response. With this information, they aim to determine whether downturns in economic status are associated with declines in health.

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    Is It Possible to Compare Life Satisfaction Around the World?

    To understand what influences life satisfaction in different countries, it is important to correct for cultural differences in how people answer subjective questions. The RAND Center for the Study of Aging is attempting to increase the comparability of response scales across national boundaries.

  • senior, people, mature, old, asian, stretching, warm-up, exercise, health, healthy, wellness, wellbeing, elder, elderly, warmup, man, woman, relaxation, chinese, male, lifestyle, activity, female, prepare, preparation, couple, fitness, practice, tranquil, quiet, lake, nature, peaceful, serenity, serene, workout, outdoor, scenery, outside, relaxed, retired, afternoon, morning, countryside, sport, active, 60s, 70s, vertical, photograph

    International Comparisons of Well-Being, Health and Retirement

    By using newly available data from more than 15 countries, researchers are analyzing how the interaction between individual behavior, social context, institutions, and policies shapes health and well-being in old age.