Becky Gillan

Biography: I'm AARP’s Senior Vice President of Research & Strategic Analysis, and am focused on fostering understanding of the interests and concerns of people age 50+ and their families. Before coming to AARP, I served as the Vice President of Global Market Research & Guest Satisfaction for Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

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Becky Gillan 'sPosts

If I can’t remember all my online passwords, am I losing it?

Posted on 05/22/2013 by Becky Gillan | AARP Blog Author | Comments

AARP Research | Personal HealthEvery time I have to log into one of my online accounts and have no clue what the password is, I wonder if I am finally “losing it.” I know I am not alone with this fear, as survey after survey we conduct among our members reveals their interest in brain fitness. In our most recent Member Opinion Survey, staying mentally sharp was one of members’ top concerns. However, apparently this questioning is not unique to my boomer age group. …

Call Your Mom! Wait, What Do You Mean You Already Did?

Posted on 05/9/2013 by Becky Gillan | AARP Blog Author | Comments

AARP Research | Home & FamilyWith Mother’s Day around the corner, let me add my praise for mothers. I applaud the efforts every mother makes to try to ensure their children live a well-balanced life. I also applaud aunts and grandmothers too, as more and more it takes a village to raise Millennials! Mother’s Day is a huge day for retailers who sell flowers and chocolates. In my own qualitative assessment, these sellers are in for another banner holiday. At a big warehouse store this …

Indulge Yourself with Health

Posted on 04/24/2013 by Becky Gillan | AARP Blog Author | Comments

AARP Research | Food | Personal HealthI LOVE FOOD. I love thinking about food. I love dining out. But when it comes down to it, my favorite foods are incredibly simple: tuna salad with a mayo and celery at home, or spaghetti with Bolognese sauce when I dine out. While I like to watch reruns of Julia Child cooking for their entertainment value, I have no desire to cook coq au vin or beef bourguignon. Whether you enjoy being creative in the kitchen, or (like me) …

Online Dating: How About We … Start Again

Posted on 04/9/2013 by Becky Gillan | AARP Blog Author | Comments

AARP Research | Relationships | Your LifeI suspect most people can remember their first kiss, first date, first love — and have even rated those experiences versus subsequent encounters with rose-colored glasses. How many of us have ended up marrying or living for an extended period with their first love? Or maybe you split up and haven’t heard from them since. I married my high school boyfriend, but not until 20 years after graduation. The marriage did not last (over 60% of second marriages end in …

Infographic: The New Normal for Experienced Workers

Posted on 02/28/2013 by Becky Gillan | AARP Blog Author | Comments

AARP Research | WorkMore older Americans are in the workforce today than in 2007 when the recession started. And while experienced workers are faring better in the overall employment numbers compared to their younger counterparts, they still face many challenges in the current job market. Find out more about the current worker landscape below and what AARP is doing to help. Find out more about AARP’s research around employment and experienced workers: Staying Ahead of the Curve: The AARP Work and Career …

AARP’s New Workforce Profiles Tool Shines a Light on the Workers in Your State

Posted on 02/18/2013 by Becky Gillan | AARP Blog Author | Comments

AARP Research | WorkMining is not big business in Connecticut. I pretty much already knew that, but I was able to confirm it by using a new tool produced by the AARP Research and Strategic Analysis department this week. Based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2009-2011 American Community Survey, the AARP Workforce Profiles tool enables anyone to access all sorts of data specific to workers age 40+ in their state with the click of a button. Want to know the income levels of …