Celebrating Older Americans Month
Statement
May is Older Americans Month. It's an important time to talk about the many contributions that older Americans have made and continue to make to our community and to our country. It's also an important time to reflect on the importance of the Older Americans Act, Medicare and Medicaid -- which all turn 50 in July -- and Social Security, which celebrates its 80th anniversary in August.
Together, these four national treasures improve lives and help seniors live in dignity. They are national treasures and they are part of the American landscape. Yet, they are under attack from those are trying to reduce benefits and services.
We are hearing from some who want to cut Social Security's earned benefits, raise the age of eligibility for Social Security and Medicare, or reduce spending for senior housing, nutrition, transportation and job training. The Republican budget resolution passed last month seeks to cut Medicaid -- the largest payer for home-based, community and nursing home long-term care services -- by more than $1 trillion over the next 10 years. That same budget would also repeal major improvements made to Medicare in the Affordable Care Act -- raising prescription drug costs to seniors as well as people with disabilities.
As co-chair of the Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force, I'm fighting as hard as I can to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act. But simply protecting them "as is" is not enough.
More and more Americans are concerned that they will never be able to retire and maintain their standard of living -- or that they may not be able to retire at all. The National Institute for Retirement Security estimates that the average working household has only $2,500 saved for retirement and households headed by someone age 55 to 64 have only $14,500.
Nearly 3 in 4 Americans will rely on their earned Social Security benefits for the majority of their income; for 1 in 4, it is their only source of income. That is why I believe we need to expand benefits and provide a more accurate cost-of-living adjustment. I also believe we need to look at ways to make health care more affordable. One step we could take is to expand Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing services. And it's time that we provide enact a long-term care strategy -- one of the biggest expenses that face older Americans and their families.
My office is always happy to help you if you have questions about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or other senior issues. Here are some other resources that might be of interest to you:
Senior Corps: Seniors Corps, part of AmeriCorps, has several ways that seniors can volunteer in their communities, including Foster Grandparents, RSVP, and Senior Companions. There are many ways to volunteer. http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps
The Eldercare Locator: A public service of the Administration on Aging at the Department of HHS, the Eldercare Locator can help you find information and local contacts for a range of issues: long-term care services, Alzheimer's caregiving, financial assistance, health care, food and nutrition, legal assistance, transportation, and volunteerism. http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Index.aspx
Local Area Agencies on Aging help seniors and their families understand Medicare, access benefits, learn about healthy living, and find long-term care services. In suburban Chicago, contact AgeOptions at 708-383-0258 or visit www.ageoptions.org. In Chicago, contact the Senior Services Area Agency on Aging at the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services at 312-744-4016 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/aging.
The Medicare Rights Center National Helpline: Seniors and their families can call 800-333-4114 for assistance. Counselors are available Monday through Friday, and are happy to answer your questions about insurance choices, Medicare rights and protections, payment denials and appeals, complaints about care or treatment, and Medicare bills. www.medicarerights.org.
The Illinois Alzheimers Association provides information, a 24/7 hotline (1-800-272-3900), and support groups to help individuals living with the disease and their families. www.alz.org/illinois.
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