As the population ages, there is an increasing need to advocate for policies and programs that support older adults. With longer life expectancies and the aging of the baby boomer generation, the number of Americans over age 65 is expected to double by 2050. This major demographic shift means that issues affecting seniors will have an even greater impact on society in the coming years. There are many important topics to advocate for, but the following stand out as particularly pressing.
Access to Healthcare
One of the most important issues for older adults is access to quality, affordable healthcare. As people age, they tend to develop more health problems and require more medical care. Medicare provides healthcare coverage for Americans over 65, but there are still significant gaps that need to be addressed:
- Prescription drug costs – Many seniors struggle to pay for needed medications under Medicare Part D. Advocating for lower drug prices and reducing prescription co-pays could make medications more affordable.
- Long-term care – Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care in nursing homes or at home. Long-term care costs can quickly impoverish older adults. Expanding long-term care coverage through Medicare or Medicaid is an important goal.
- Mental health services – Medicare provides limited coverage for mental health services like counseling or therapy. Increasing coverage for mental healthcare would benefit many seniors experiencing issues like depression and anxiety.
- Dental, vision, and hearing care – Traditional Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care, which are important for senior health. Advocating for supplemental coverage for these services is key.
Ensuring that older adults have comprehensive medical coverage without prohibitive out-of-pocket costs needs to be a top priority.
Financial Security
Another major issue facing seniors is financial security. Many older adults live on fixed incomes and struggle financially. Important policy goals in this area include:
- Social Security – Advocating against cuts to Social Security benefits and for strategies to maintain long-term solvency of the program. Social Security is the main source of income for most seniors.
- Elder fraud prevention – Older adults are often targeted by financial scams. Strengthening laws and consumer protections can help prevent exploitation.
- Pension protections – Advocating for laws and policies that provide oversight of pensions and protect workers’ earned pension benefits.
- Tax breaks for seniors – Promoting special tax exemptions and credits for older adults can provide financial relief for seniors on limited incomes.
Protecting the finances of older adults and ensuring income and retirement security should be top priorities.
Housing Needs
Housing is a serious challenge as well for many older adults. Important housing-related issues to advocate for include:
- Affordable senior housing – More affordable apartment complexes for low-income seniors are needed, especially subsidized independent living communities.
- Home modification assistance – Many seniors need help making their homes safer and more accessible as they age in place. Advocating for grants, loans, or tax credits to fund home modifications helps older adults remain independent.
- Public transportation – Many seniors reduce or eliminate driving as they get older. Improving public transit options can allow them to get around and remain engaged in the community.
Addressing these housing issues through public policy gives seniors expanded living options and the ability to choose housing appropriate to their needs and abilities.
Caregiving Support
The vast majority of long-term care for older adults is provided by family members serving as unpaid caregivers. Supporting these caregivers is also an important advocacy priority:
- Respite care – Advocating to expand funding and eligibility for respite care programs gives family caregivers a much-needed break.
- Workplace flexibility – Policies requiring employers to provide flexible schedules, paid family leave, and other benefits helps caregivers better balance their responsibilities.
- Caregiver tax credits – Tax credits can provide some financial relief to offset the often high costs of caregiving.
- Caregiving training and support groups – Funding caregiving education programs and support groups empowers caregivers.
Making life easier for family caregivers ensures seniors with limitations can remain at home longer before needing expensive institutional care.
Elder Abuse Prevention
Elder abuse is an often hidden epidemic in the older adult population. Some important policy issues include:
- Mandatory reporting laws – Requiring certain professionals to report suspected elder abuse can help identify more cases and get victims assistance.
- Stiffer penalties – Advocating for enhanced criminal penalties for financial, physical, and other elder abuse deters this conduct.
- Victims’ services – Increased funding is needed for social services, counseling, shelters, and support tailored to senior victims of abuse and exploitation.
- Caregiver background checks – Requiring thorough background checks for paid in-home caregivers helps screen out abuse perpetrators.
Preventing elder abuse requires a comprehensive approach, combining stronger laws, support for victims, and screening of caregivers.
Ageism and Social Isolation
Ageism and social isolation are also serious problems negatively impacting seniors. Some strategies for combatting these issues include:
- Public education campaigns – Advertising and educational initiatives can help reduce harmful attitudes, stereotypes and discrimination against seniors.
- Intergenerational programs – Programs promoting interaction between seniors and younger people fosters understanding and reduces ageism.
- Funding senior centers – Senior centers provide important social engagement and fulfillment to older adults.
- In-home visits – Community volunteer programs where younger people are matched with seniors can brighten lives and reduce isolation.
Taking steps to fully integrate seniors into community life and prevent social exclusion combats isolation and improves well-being.
Expanded Home and Community-Based Services
Most seniors wish to remain living independently at home as long as possible. Expanding access to home and community-based services (HCBS) makes this possible by providing support with daily activities. Important HCBS to advocate for include:
- Home healthcare – In-home nursing care and physical, occupational and speech therapy enables seniors to recover from illness and injury at home.
- Homemaking assistance – Help with housekeeping, laundry, shopping and meal preparation makes independent living easier.
- Home modifications and safety devices – Installing grab bars, railings and ramps in the home prevents falls and injuries.
- Friendly visitor programs – Volunteers provide socialization, conversation and companionship to homebound seniors.
HCBS are generally more affordable than nursing homes, allowing more seniors to remain in their homes longer and giving them choice in how they receive care.
Improving Nursing Home Quality
While HCBS may delay nursing home placement, skilled nursing facilities remain essential for seniors who require round-the-clock care. Some nursing home policy priorities include:
- Staffing ratios – Advocating for minimum staff-to-resident ratios ensures adequate care and supervision.
- Culture change – Promoting more home-like, resident-centered care and programs tailored to individual interests enhances quality of life.
- Stronger oversight – Increased inspections, bigger penalties for violations, and transparency help hold poor nursing homes accountable.
- Dementia care training – With growing numbers of residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, specialized dementia care skills for staff should be mandated.
Even seniors requiring nursing home care deserve to live with dignity. Policies promoting high standards and quality of care help achieve this.
End-of-Life Care Access
Access to quality end-of-life and palliative care is also an important senior issue. Goals in this area include:
- Pain management – Better education of medical providers about controlling pain in the elderly is needed.
- Hospice care support – Broader Medicare eligibility for the hospice benefit gives more terminally ill seniors access to this compassionate model of care.
- Planning empowerment – Programs making professionals available to help seniors create living wills and designate healthcare powers of attorney facilitates choice.
- Aid in dying – Advocating for physician-assisted death for terminally ill seniors an option in more states honors end-of-life choices.
Seniors dealing with end-of-life issues deserve expanded options for comfort, autonomy and respect for their final wishes.
Elder-Friendly Public Spaces
Making public areas accommodating to older adults enables them to stay active and engaged in their communities. Important policy goals involve:
- Accessibility standards – Ensuring buildings, sidewalks, transportation, and recreation areas are compliant with ADA accessibility rules.
- Senior center funding – Senior centers provide needed services and fulfilling activities tailored to older adults.
- Park programming – Prioritizing senior fitness zones, walking trails, recreational programming and classes in public parks promotes healthy aging.
- Age-friendly signage – Large print, high contrast signage promotes independent navigation of public spaces.
Adjusting our built infrastructure and public spaces acknowledges the needs and contributions of seniors.
Transportation Access
Limited transportation options present a major obstacle to seniors staying engaged and mobile. Advocacy is needed for:
- Public transit expansions – Increasing availability of ADA accessible buses, trains, shuttles and paratransit provides essential transportation for seniors unable to drive.
- Ridesharing subsidies – Discounted Uber and Lyft rides similarly expands mobility options for older adults.
- Volunteer driver networks – Faith groups and non-profits mobilize volunteers to provide personalized door-to-door transportation assistance to seniors.
- Complete streets – Planning communities to include safe walking and biking routes also promotes senior mobility.
Transportation access strongly influences seniors’ ability to access healthcare, shop, socialize and remain active. Expanding affordable options preserves independence and freedom.
Support for Family Caregivers
Family members provide most of the long-term care that allows older adults to remain in the community. Supporting these family caregivers through policy is crucial:
- Work leave – Advocate for paid family and medical leave policies so caregivers can take time off without sacrificing income or employment.
- Respite programs – Fund and expand respite care programs that give caregivers temporary relief from duties.
- Caregiver tax credits – Tax credits offset some costs caregivers face and provide financial assistance.
- Caregiving training – Provide free training on self-care, managing stress, and caregiving best practices.
- Support groups – Support groups help caregivers feel less alone and share advice.
Preventing caregiver isolation and burnout is essential to enabling them to continue assisting frail seniors at home.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many pressing issues facing the growing senior population that advocates need to prioritize. Protecting healthcare and financial security are essential, as well as expanding access to services that allow seniors to live independently in the community for as long as possible. We need adequate housing, HCBS, transportation and liveable public spaces tailored to older adults. Nursing home quality and affordable end-of-life care options must also improve. Supporting family caregivers enables them to continue assisting seniors to stay at home. Finally, reducing discrimination and isolation will let seniors continue to enrich our communities. Focusing advocacy efforts on these key issues will go a long way towards creating an age-friendly society that allows older adults to enjoy health, security and quality of life.