Objectives: To explore the effects of membership in a fitness program for older adults on social isolation, loneliness, and health. Method: Using survey responses from SilverSneakers members and matched nonmembers, regression path analysis was used to examine the influence of SilverSneakers membership on physical activity, social isolation, loneliness, and health, and the interrelationships among these concepts. Results: SilverSneakers membership directly increased physical activity and self-rated health, directly decreased social isolation, and indirectly decreased loneliness. Decreased social isolation and loneliness were associated with better self-rated health: social isolation and loneliness had independent direct effects on health, while social isolation also had an indirect effect on health mediated through loneliness. Discussion: Members of SilverSneakers experienced better health through increased physical activity, reduced social isolation, and reduced loneliness. Future research should explore independent effects of social isolation and loneliness on health and the mechanisms by which membership reduces social isolation and loneliness.

With older age, people experience declines in resources and face new challenges. The goal of this study was to understand how resource decline affects the oldest olds’ well-being, but also to learn who they trust and where they go for advice in areas such as health, finances, and technology. This sample of 30 participants between the ages of 85 and 95 was generally resource-rich, scoring highest on self-esteem and optimism and lowest on mastery. Self-esteem and optimism correlated with financial resources, indicating a significant role of finances in this rather wealthy sample. Well-being was predicted by self-esteem and physical health. Presumably, their high levels of self-esteem compensate for the loss of other resources among the oldest old. The majority of lifestyle leaders trust in other people, and while friends and family are very important sources of advice, searching online was equally often mentioned as a source when looking for advice.

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Costs of caregiving go beyond physical, mental, and emotional; the financial costs are astronomical. On average, family caregivers spend 26% of their income on caregiving (AARP 2021). As the need for family caregivers grows due to longer lifespans (AARP 2020), incorporating the topic of caregiving into financial planning for longevity conversations becomes increasingly necessary. Drawing on data from the MIT AgeLab Caregiver Panel, a research panel of over 1400 family caregivers, and from the MIT AgeLab Preparing for Longevity Advisory Network, a research panel of over 900 financial professionals, this presentation will describe mixed methods research findings that highlight caregivers’ and financial professionals’ attitudes and perceptions toward caregiving as a topic within client-advisor conversations. Results demonstrate that many caregivers wish they had financially planned for the costs of caregiving more than they did. However, caregivers rarely turn to their financial advisors for support; many perceive their value to be strictly financial and are unaware of their advisors’ ability to support them. Despite caregivers’ doubts, most financial professionals feel equipped and willing to have caregiving-related conversations with clients. Additionally, while over three-quarters of financial professionals reported making referrals to outside resources for caregiving-related support, some critical avenues – including social workers and therapists, support groups, and respite care providers – were underutilized. Implications of these findings for caregivers and professionals of various industries will also be discussed.

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