Larry Polivka serves as Executive Director of the Claude Pepper Center and Scholar- in- Residence with the Claude Pepper Foundation. His primary research centers on critical aging issues including long-term care, affordable health care, and economic security for America’s elderly population. He expanded the scope of his research on aging studies examining this complex issue in the global community. A Florida State graduate (1978), Polivka brings national recognition to his alma mater. In August 2011, he was presented with the Dr. Carl Osterbind Florida Council on Aging Award for his work with former Governor Bob Graham on the development of the Pathways to the Future plan. He also served as the Chairperson for the Assisted Living Workgroup, and is a past Chairperson of the Social Research, Policy and Practice Section of The Gerontological Society of America. Larry Polivka also received the Clark Tibbits Award from the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education in 2009 in honor of his outstanding contributions to gerontology and geriatric education. Prior to Polivka’s return to Florida State University, he was honored with emeritus status in recognition of his distinguished service as a professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He also served as the Associate Director of the School of Aging during his tenure at the university.

In addition to his academic contributions, Larry Polivka has worked at the state and federal levels. His contributions to the State of Florida are numerous including service in several state agencies, as well as in the Office of the Governor. The White House Council on Aging, American Society on Aging, National Council on Aging, and the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education have also benefited from his extensive consulting and committee work.

Larry Polivka has also contributed to every major journal in his field. He has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Aging, Humanities and the Arts; Journal of Applied Gerontology; Journal of American Medical Association; The Gerontologist; Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology; Journal of Applied Gerontology; and was co-editor of the Journal of Aging and Identity. His most recent publication, “Neoliberalism and Postmodern Cultures of Aging (2011)” in the Journal of Applied Gerontology is highly regarded for the unique interdisciplinary perspective the article brings to aging studies. “How to Protect Social Security for Another 75 Years (2010),” article was printed in prominent newspapers throughout the state to honor the 75th anniversary of Social Security.

Completed Reports:

• Women and the Crisis of Care in the United States (2018)
• The Future of LTC in Florida (2018)
• Neoliberal Long-Term Care: From Community to Corporate Control (2017)
• The Neoliberal Political Economy and Erosion of Retirement Security (2015)
• LTC Today and Tomorrow-FL and U.S. (2015)
• The Ethics of Health Disparities (2014)
• The Future of Long-Term Care and the Aging Network (2014)
• The Global Florida and Long Term Care across Post-Industrial Countries
• The Growing Neoliberal Threat to the Economic Security of Workers and Retirees (2012)
• Long-Term Care: Aging and Disabled Adults Literature Review Part I (2011)
• Long-Term Care: Aging and Disabled Adults Literature Review Part II (2011)
• Neoliberalism and the New Politics of Aging and Retirement Security (2011)
• Neoliberalism and Postmodern Culture of Aging (2009)
• Back to the Future: Restoring Economic Justice for Workers and Retirees (2008)
• The Aging Network and Managed Long-Term Care (2008)
• Medicare Privatization and the Erosion of Retirement Security (2008)
• The Global Florida: Long-Term Care in Postindustrial Countries (2008)
• Globalization, Population Aging, and Ethics: Toward a Global Social Democracy (2006)
• The Emerging Postmodern Culture of Aging and Retirement Security (2006)
• Growing Risk in an Aging Nation (2007)
• Medicare and the Future of Retirement Security (2007)
• Closing the Gap between Knowledge and Practice in the U.S. Long-term Care System (2007)
• The Aging Network’s Role in the Future of Long-term Care (2006)
• The Relative Benefits and Cost of Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services in Florida (2006)
• The Ethics of Medicare Privatization (2005)
• The Ethics and Politics of Caregiving (2005)
• Who Is Being Served? Program Eligibility and Home- and Community-Based Services Use (2004)
• The High Stakes Struggle over the Future of Medicare (2004)
• Postmodern Aging and the Future of Public Policy (2004)
• The Aging Network and the Future of Long-term Care (2003)
• The Nursing Home Problem in Florida (2003)
• Globalization, Population Aging, and Ethics, Part II: Toward a Just Global Society (2002)
• Empowering Frail Elderly People (2002)
• Commentary: Aging Politics and Policy in Postmodern Society (2002)
• Debate on the Ethics of Aging: Does the Concept of Autonomy Provide a Sufficient Framework for Aging Policy? (2001)
• The Science and Ethics of Long-Term Care (2001)
• The Effects of Changing Values on the Provision of Long-Term Care (2001)
• Globalization, Population Aging, and Ethics (2001)
• Paying Family Members to Provide Care: Policy Considerations for States (2001)
• Consumer-Directed Care: An Ethical, Empirical, and Practical Guide for State Policymakers (2001)
• Long-Term Care in Florida: A Review of the Task Force Report (2001)
• The Ethical and Empirical Basis for Consumer-Directed Care for the Frail Elderly (2000)
• Ethical issues in managed care and geriatrics: challenges for practitioners (2000)
• Making Ethics Matter in Managed Care and Geriatrics (2000)
• Autonomy and Dependency in an Ethic of Care for the Frail Elderly (1997)
• An Ethic for Long-Term Care: The Role of Autonomy (1995)

Editorials

How to fix the nursing home crisis, now and after the pandemic | Column (Tampa Bay Times)