AARP Research

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AARP's research group is committed to providing high quality non-partisan research, trends, and insights on older adults & their families.

AARP Research uncovers compelling insights on the 50+ population through groundbreaking research. AARP Research informs thought leaders internally and externally with strategic insights about the needs, market conditions, and trends impacting the 50+ to fulfill AARP’s mission of providing Real Possibilities for Americans 50+.

09/20/2026

September is Pain Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact chronic pain can have on nearly every part of daily life and to share information about the range of approaches that may help people manage it.

Pain relief isn’t one-size-fits-all. In an excerpt adapted from his book “It Doesn’t Have to Hurt,” neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores 10 tools that may be part of a broader pain-management plan. They include movement and exercise, heat and cold therapy, nonopioid medications, psychological approaches, and more.

Some approaches have stronger evidence than others, and what is safe or effective depends on the person and the source of the pain. That’s why it’s important to work with a health care professional and discuss medications, supplements, and other therapies before trying them.

Explore Dr. Gupta's approaches to pain management and relief: http://spr.ly/6188BGwMfK

09/18/2026

Have rising costs changed the way you spend? Ninety-four percent of adults age 50+ say prices have risen over the past few months, including 67% who say they have risen “a lot.”

Many are cutting back as a result—and not only on discretionary expenses like dining out and entertainment. Some have also delayed, canceled, or scaled back spending on essentials, including groceries, doctor visits, and home and auto repairs.

➡️ Explore six key findings on how older adults are responding to rising costs: http://spr.ly/6181BGn2fR

09/17/2026

A legacy can be many things.⁠
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A family recipe.⁠
A shared language.⁠
A few words of encouragement at the right time.⁠
Or helping the next generation go after their dreams.⁠
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Hispanic grandparents play an important role in keeping traditions alive and helping families move forward. Through their time, care, and guidance, they help shape brighter futures across generations.⁠
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This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honoring the grandparents whose love and example leave a lasting mark.⁠
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Heritage is a legacy that lasts.⁠
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➡️ Explore research on Hispanic grandparents and the ways they share heritage, strengthen family connections, and leave a lasting legacy: http://spr.ly/6182BGVuMy

09/16/2026

Millions of Americans provide care for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend living with a health condition or disability, but many may not know about the resources and services available to help them.

Recent research from University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation looks at seven things every family caregiver should know, with practical information that can help them find support and navigate their role.

The seven topics cover everything from local support and advance care planning to health care involvement and respite care.

The findings show there are significant gaps in awareness and use:
• 56% of caregivers age 50+ have never heard of Area Agencies on Aging, and only 11% have used one.
• Only 27% of people over 50 have completed an advance directive (as of 2024).
• Just 11% of caregivers have used respite care, which can provide a temporary break from caregiving responsibilities.

Learn more: http://spr.ly/6183BGTQBH

09/13/2026

No two families look exactly alike, and neither do the relationships between grandparents and grandchildren. Across families, grandparent–grandchild bonds can bring care, connection, learning, support, and plenty of joy to generations on both sides.

In fact, more than 8 in 10 grandparents (83%) say they experience either “a lot of” or “all-encompassing” joy in their relationships with their grandchildren, and 79% describe the grandparenting experience as extremely or very fulfilling.

That sense of joy extends to caregiving, too. Among surveyed grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren, 72% leaned toward “I help because it brings me joy” rather than “I help mostly out of necessity.” As one 78-year-old grandfather told us, “I can’t imagine anything better than being a grandparent. There’s just nothing that even comes close.”

This Grandparents’ Day, we’re celebrating the many ways grandparents and grandchildren enrich each other’s lives. Happy Grandparents’ Day!

➡️ There’s a lot more to the grandparenting story! Visit http://spr.ly/6189BGPVQZ to learn more: http://spr.ly/6000B1As6y

09/11/2026

Each September 11, Americans come together for a National Day of Service and Remembrance, honoring those we lost with acts of service and kindness. Whether it’s volunteering with a local organization, helping a neighbor, or supporting a cause that matters to you, giving back can be a meaningful way to take part.

Find volunteer opportunities near you ➡️ http://spr.ly/6181BGMhp3

09/10/2026

Ninety-four percent of adults age 50+ agree that managing stress is an important aspect of healthy aging, but what does helpful stress support actually look like?

When asked what kinds of support they would be interested in, adults age 50+ pointed to resources that are simple to use, convenient to access, and practical to incorporate into everyday life. Daily stress tips, short relaxation and breathing videos, and products that promote better sleep were among the most preferred options.

But respondents also described needs that go beyond individual stress-management tools. Many want help addressing the underlying causes of their stress, such as financial pressures, workplace challenges, sleep problems, and food insecurity. Others emphasized the value of simply having someone to talk to, whether through peer groups, mentoring, counseling, or other accessible and affordable opportunities for connection.

These findings offer a closer look at how adults age 50+ deal with stress and the kinds of resources and support that could help make healthy stress management more achievable in everyday life. Keep reading: http://spr.ly/6181BGzjMT

09/08/2026

Disability becomes more common with age, and the experiences of older adults living with disabilities can take many forms. Based on 2023 American Community Survey data (from U.S. Census Bureau), it is estimated that more than 30.5 million U.S. adults age 50+ are living with a disability, representing about 1 in 4 people in this age group.⁠
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Mobility, hearing, vision, and cognitive disabilities are among the types of disabilities that become more common with age. Hearing loss increases considerably with age: 5% of adults ages 45–54 have hearing loss, compared with 10% of those ages 55–64, 22% of those ages 65–74, and 55% of those age 75+.⁠
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Chronic health conditions can also overlap with disability. Approximately 78% of adults age 50+ have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 79% of adults age 65+ have two or more. Some chronic illnesses may also qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, though not all chronic illnesses are considered disabilities.⁠

What do you think communities can do to better support people with disabilities as they age?
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➡️ Keep reading: http://spr.ly/6182BGHa0n

09/07/2026

What’s shaping work and retirement decisions for adults age 50+? Our latest labor force findings show that financial considerations continue to play a major role, whether older adults are staying in the workforce, delaying retirement, or returning to work after retiring.⁠
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Among adults 50+ who are working or looking for work, 39% say their most important reason is needing money to cover basic living expenses, far ahead of enjoying work (10%), keeping busy (8%), or saving for retirement (7%).⁠
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For some, financial pressures are also affecting when retirement happens. Among workers who expect to retire later than planned, 68% cite the rising cost of living as a reason, up from 58% in the summer of 2025. Household debt is a factor for 37%, while 16% cite financially supporting adult children.⁠
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And retirement isn’t always permanent. Six percent of retirees say they returned to work within the past six months, a rate that has remained largely unchanged across the past three waves of our survey. Among these “unretirees,” 48% say economic need brought them back to work, compared with 18% who cite boredom or wanting to stay active.⁠

Keep reading: http://spr.ly/6181BGGz0R

09/06/2026

Social Security is widely valued by Americans, but many people may not realize the full range of support it provides. Our study, conducted around Social Security’s 91st anniversary, finds that 95% of U.S. adults age 18+ believe Social Security is very or somewhat important for people in the U.S. today.

Awareness is strongest when it comes to some of the program’s most familiar forms of support. Nearly three-quarters (74%) know Social Security helps people afford basic living expenses in retirement, and 72% know it provides financial support to people who can no longer work because of a serious disability. But just 52% know it can provide financial support to children after the loss of a parent.

Knowledge also varies considerably by age. For example, 61% of adults ages 18–49 know Social Security provides support when a serious disability prevents someone from working, compared with 84% of adults age 50+. And 41% of adults ages 18–49 know about benefits for children after the loss of a parent, compared with 64% of those age 50+.

Despite these gaps in understanding, Americans overwhelmingly want Social Security to continue providing a broad range of support for future generations. More than 9 in 10 say it is important that Social Security help future generations:

• Afford basic living expenses in retirement (93%)
• Receive financial support if a serious disability prevents them from working (92%)
• Remain financially independent as they age (91%)

➡️ Explore the full findings: https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/work-finances-retirement/social-security/social-security-91st-anniversary-survey/

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http://www.aarp.org/research/

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