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It's no secret that the US economy is in the middle of a crisis. The news is filled with stories about businesses folding, layoffs, falling stocks and foreclosures. The message is clear: our economy is struggling and the future is uncertain.
There is one subset of the population for whom this is especially true. Older Americans are disproportionately impacted by the state of the US economy, leaving many of our seniors gripped with fear and anxiety. This generation who worked tirelessly to provide for their families and plan for a comfortable retirement is now facing an uncertain future.
Many factors contribute to the impact the economy has on our seniors. As stocks lose value, Older Americans watch their 401K funds deplete and questions rise about how to pay for life after work. Seniors who need to sell their homes to pay for long term care either cannot do so or their houses aren't valued high enough to cover the care they need. Inflation means that pensions don't go as far as they used to leaving many seniors on a fixed income. And this is just the tip of the iceburg.
The government is currently working on a plan to address the economic crisis. The current proposal is controversial, and our seniors are left wondering, "How is it going to help us?"
To address this question, AARP has put together this report, a detailed and clear analysis of what the proposed stimulus plan means to American seniors.
It's clear that there aren't any easy solutions to the current economic crisis. In the meantime, it is imperative that we all do whatever we can to support the most vulnerable of our population during this challenging time.
For more information about how Visiting Angels can help the older adults in your life, please feel free to contact one of our Bay Area offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 2/16/2009 6:04:02 PM |
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If you have an older adult in your life suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you may worry about them wandering away and not being able to find their way home. A new law that addresses this issue is under consideration right now.
In September, the House of Representatives passed the National Silver Alert Act. Much like an Amber Alert for missing children, the act would establish a formal, public notification system to spread information about senior citizens who are missing. The bill was introduced after an 86-year-old Florida woman wandered away from an assisted living facility and was later found dead.
Visiting Angels is urging everyone to call and write their senators to encourage them to sponsor the bill.
"Senior safety is first and foremost for Visiting Angels," says chief operating officer Patricia Drea. "The National Silver Alert Act would give families the peace of mind that, if their loved one is missing, the public would be notified and on the lookout for them."
Currently Silver Alert programs operate in about a dozen states and the National Silver Alert Act would provide federal support to the state initiatives and assist in the expansion of Silver Alert. The bill, S 3579, would create a Silver Alert Coordinator within the Department of Justice, who would set voluntary guidelines and monitor state Silver Alert programs. The coordinator would consult with agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Transportation and the Administration on Aging to develop best practices and provide federal funds to implement state Silver Alert programs.
"Reuniting missing seniors with their families requires a rapid and united response," says Drea. "With the National Silver Alert Act our communities can use and build on existing resources to help keep our seniors safe."
Visiting Angels and other organizations serving older adults are asking the public to contact their senators and encourage them to become a co-sponsor of S 3579 and to support the bill when it comes to a vote on the floor. You can find your senator at www.senate.gov. |
| 11/3/2008 11:08:44 AM |
