Document Type

Capstone Project

Publication Date

Spring 5-30-2024

Publication Title

Brookings Public Policy Minor Culminating Project

First page number:

1

Last page number:

27

Abstract

In 2020, almost one in five Nevadans was over the age of 65.[1] However, within this age group, women outnumber men due to longer life expectancies[2] and migration patterns. Women over 65 years of age make up an estimated 18.1% of the female population in Nevada.[3] Of the male population in Nevada, 15.1% are over 65 years of age.[4] Older women are less likely to be married, are less likely to have completed a bachelor’s degree, are more likely to drop out of the labor force, and are more likely to be living in poverty in Nevada.[5] Given the proportion of women in Nevada over 65, their care and wellbeing are of particular concern. This brief will focus on women Nevadans over the age of 65 and will explore the specific issues they face as well as potential policy solutions to improve their care and quality of life.

[1]“Aging Trends and Challenges in Nevada” (2005). University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Clark County, and State of Nevada. Retrieved from https://cdclv.unlv.edu/healthnv/aging.html.

[2] Stepler, Renee. “Smaller Share of Women Ages 65 and Older Are Living Alone” (2016). Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2016/02/18/smaller-share-of-women-ages-65-and-older-are-living-alone/.

[3] Aging Trends and Challenges in Nevada” (2005). University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Clark County, and State of Nevada. Retrieved from https://cdclv.unlv.edu/healthnv/aging.html.

[4] American Community Survey One-Year Estimates (2022). S0101Age and Sex https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S0101?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=040XX00US32.

[5] Keene, Jennifer R. and Ragin, Jacqueline. “Aging Trends & Challenges in Nevada” (2017). UNLV Center for Democratic Culture. Retrieved from https://cdclv.unlv.edu/healthnv_2017/aging.pdf

Keywords

women; Nevada; elderly; older women; aging; gender; elder abuse; policy; economy; social security; demography; demographic transition; law; poverty; marriage; nursing homes; assisted living; caregiving; caregivers; grandchildren

Disciplines

Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence | Elder Law | Family, Life Course, and Society | Gender and Sexuality | Gerontology | Income Distribution | Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation | Public Administration | Public Affairs | Public Policy | Social Policy | Social Statistics | Social Welfare | Urban Studies

Language

English


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