Search Policy & Research

Advanced Search


From the Databases

Housing, Mobility and Care Options...

On aarp.org

Email Newsletter

Get updates on Policy & Research by email.

Home and Community-Based Care

Beyond 50.03: A Report to the Nation on Independent Living and Disability

Research Report

April 2003


Although the vast majority of persons age 50 and older do not require long-term assistance at any given time, most people will require assistance at some point in their lives, and most families will face these issues with their older members.

What happens, then, when disabilities early or late in life threaten our independence and require us to rely on others for help with the ordinary routines of life?

This report, the third in AARP's Beyond 50 series, takes an in-depth look at the roles of supportive services, family and community, and our social and physical environments in enhancing the independence of age 50+ persons with disabilities.

Lead author for the 50.03 report is Mary Jo Gibson of AARP's Public Policy Institute (PPI); other authors are Marc Freiman, Steven Gregory, Enid Kassner, Andrew Kochera, Faith Mullen, Sheel Pandya, Don Redfoot, Audrey Straight and Bernadette Wright, all of PPI. (213 pages)

Download Report

Table of Contents and Executive Summary (PDF, 12 pages)
Chapters I - IV (PDF, 90 pages)
Chapters V - VIII (PDF, 90 pages)
Chapters IX - XI (PDF, 90 pages)
Conclusions and Appendix (PDF, 90 pages)

Executive Summary (HTML)

To order printed copies

Please, include your full postal mailing address as well as the title and stock number

  • Beyond 50.03 (Stock #D17817)

Send your request by mail to
AARP Fulfillment
601 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20049
or by e-mail to member@aarp.org

Pub ID: D17817