AARP Research

04/20/2026

Fraud and scams pose a serious financial risk for older Americans, yet many underestimate just how much the average person loses to fraud.⁠

Most U.S. adults age 50+ estimate average fraud losses to be in the thousands. Fewer than 1 in 5 believe losses exceed $50,000. But in 2024, the average loss for adults 60+ was $83,000.⁠

Based on our recent survey findings, we're seeing strong agreement on what could help:⁠

• 98% of adults age 50+ say social media companies should remove scam ads⁠
• 98% say phone companies should do more to block scam calls and texts⁠
• 97% support banks and payment apps stepping in to stop suspicious transactions before money is sent⁠
• 93% say stronger protections are needed for gift cards⁠

Ultimately, staying safe from fraud shouldn’t fall on individuals alone. There’s a clear call for stronger protections across the board.⁠

What do you think would help you feel more protected from fraud?⁠

Link in comments to learn more.

04/16/2026

Who’s ready for American Society on Aging’s in Atlanta next week? For those attending, be sure to catch “The Future of Belonging” on April 22, featuring AARP Research Senior Vice President, Indira Venkat.

What can you expect?
In this session, join AARP Research Senior VP Indira Venkat, alongside Chris Carbone, Jillian Racoosin, and Romell Cooks, as they explore how belonging is being reshaped by life transitions, shifting institutions, and new digital dynamics.

You’ll walk away with insights on:
• How community and identity are evolving for adults 50+
• What’s changing in social health
• What it all means for policy, programs, and aging-related supports

📍 Centennial Ballroom I–III
🗓 Wednesday, April 22 | 8–9am

If your work touches on social connection, equity, health, or community design, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Learn more at the link in comments.

04/16/2026

What do you think: Do too many roads still prioritize cars over people? Would you support lower speed limits on neighborhood streets, or at sites where crashes happen often?

Our new survey reveals that adults 50+ want change:

• 71% would likely support lower speed limits in high-crash areas
• 73% say lower speeds on neighborhood streets are important
• 79% say crosswalks with sound or vibration signals for those with disabilities are important
• 59% say safe median waiting areas on wide streets are important

Tell us in the comments: What would make your streets feel safer?

Keep reading: http://spr.ly/6005B64RyB

04/14/2026

Tell us: How do you feel about getting older? As it turns out, that mindset might matter more than you think.

Our new research shows that more than 2 in 5 adults age 35+ have a positive view of aging, and that optimism is linked to better mental well-being and stronger self-reported brain health. Findings also show that those with a positive view on aging have lower depression and anxiety scores compared to adults with a negative view of aging.

So whether it’s staying curious, connected, or open to what’s next, a more hopeful outlook could be one of the simplest ways to support your brain health over time. Link in comments for the full report.

04/12/2026

How do you navigate money when family is involved? If they were in need, would you lend money to a parent, child, or grandchild? And how much is “too much” to offer?⁠
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According to our survey, many adults age 50+ say they would step in to help if needed, especially when it comes to their own children. Expectations around supporting extended family vary widely across communities, reflecting different cultural approaches to financial support.⁠
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These findings raise an important question: How do you help out your loved ones while still maintaining boundaries? Or do you think it's true that “love and money don't mix”?⁠
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Link in comments for the detailed findings.

Passing down wealth to younger generations is a goal for older adults, but some racial/ethnic groups are more likely to help family in times of need.

04/10/2026

Happy National Siblings Day! Research shows that good sibling relationships can boost your health, so start enjoying the familial connection! If the ties between you and your siblings have become less strong in recent years, check out these five things you can do to rebuild your bond. Link in comments.

04/08/2026

We're proud to announce that our Senior Consumer Insights Manager, Dr. Brittne Kakulla, is launching a new blog series for the Insights Association IDEA Council.

In this series, she explores how AI can support research, while also highlighting where human judgment, reflection, and critical thinking are essential. As she puts it, researchers must become strong “bias auditors,” helping interpret what AI produces and understanding the nuances behind the data.

Each post introduces one AI tool and two prompt patterns researchers can incorporate into their workflow, along with key considerations for using each tool.

Her first column focuses on NotebookLM from Google: what it does, how it can be used in research, and its benefits and limitations. Link in comments!

The Researcher’s Responsibility in an AI Era Researchers have always carried two responsibilities at once. The first is technical: find the patterns inside the data.

04/06/2026

We hope everyone who celebrated enjoyed their Easter yesterday! Whether it was spent decorating eggs, sharing a meal, or simply spending time together, we hope the day left you with some special memories.

04/03/2026

Do you play pickleball? Or another racket sport, like tennis? Fun Fact: Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, and has been for years! What's more, the game comes with some big health benefits. Take a look at how pickleball can “serve” as a fun way to stay active, connect with friends, and boost your health. Link in comments.

Pickleball comes with many health benefits including improving brain and heart health, as well as helping older adults form social connections.

04/01/2026

Wishing a happy and peaceful Passover to all who celebrate! Is anyone hosting or attending a seder this year, or observing the holiday in another way?

03/31/2026

New research from AARP's Public Policy Institute reveals that the economic value of unpaid family caregiving in the U.S. now exceeds $1 trillion per year—specifically, $1.01 trillion in 2024.

To put it in perspective, $1.01 trillion:
• Exceeded all health care spending by private businesses in 2024
• Exceeded total Medicaid spending across all levels of government in 2024
• Was nearly double out-of-pocket health spending in 2024

Here’s how it breaks down:
• 59 million caregivers provided a total of 49.5 billion hours of care
• That’s the equivalent of 23.8 million full-time workers
• On average, that care is valued at $20.41 per hour

And that value isn’t the same everywhere. The average economic value of caregiving ranges from $14.12/hr in Louisiana to $27.05/hr in Washington, reflecting differences in the wages and cost of care across states.

This is the seventh edition of AARP’s Valuing the Invaluable series, tracking the growing impact of family caregiving in the U.S. over the past 20 years.

Link in comments to learn more.

Family caregiving plays a central role in long‑term support across the U.S., representing a substantial amount of unpaid care with significant economic value.

03/30/2026

As the weather warms up, travel is top of mind for many adults 50-plus. In fact, earlier this month, our 2026 Travel Trends research was featured on NBC News's Money Minute, where key insights reached a national audience.

A few things we're seeing:
• 64% of adults 50+ say they plan to travel in 2026
• On average, they expect to take four trips this year
• Spending time with family and friends remains a top reason for travel

Any trips you're looking forward to this year?

Link in comments for all the fun findings!