Funding for senior services has received a lot of attention lately. Between the infrastructure bill that was proposed at the beginning of the Biden administration, to smaller nonprofits and even larger care services struggling to stay afloat, how we pay for the things that seniors need as a country has received a lot of scrutiny.
And this is a good thing. The scrutiny that these things are receiving is important because it brings public attention to a very important issue. Some seniors are able to pay for services out of pocket, but an increasingly large number of people are not able to do this. The way that demographics have shifted places a huge burden on the public and nonprofit sphere when it comes to caring for our elderly community members.
Uncertainty with things like the federal debt ceiling also creates a sense of uncertainty when it comes to seniors. Where will spending be cut? At this point, there’s no exact answer.
When senior program funding becomes uncertain, it points to just how delicate the situation is that many people find themselves in. If programs are cut, questions about how seniors will get access to food, transportation, and companionship are raised. The finances of how programs run is very important, but this kind of uncertainty creates a sense of fear, stress, and the unknown. It’s not a situation that anyone should have to face, let alone those that are most vulnerable.
Ultimately, it’s senior citizens themselves and their families that are hurt when funding issues remain unaddressed. Unfortunately, that impacts almost everyone. But in a way, this awareness could be a good thing. Because virtually all of us are impacted by these issues, all of us have a sort of responsibility to advocate for the ones that we love and ensure that they have access to the care and help that they need.
I often talk about how each situation and each person in need is unique and that because of this, what personalized care will look like from family to family will be different. This holds true for how we advocate for those that we love, too. Perhaps you have a background in writing and publishing. Writing articles or blog posts about senior care could be your way to give back. Maybe you have a TikTok channel and are passionate about helping others. A short TIkTok on senior care might be called for. There are tons of ways that we can increase awareness and thus help those that can’t always help themselves. You have a unique background and set of experiences–you know how to do this better than any blog post can tell you.
In the meantime, doing what you can to connect the people that you love to the things that they need is a positive, helpful step that you can take. Finding the right doctors, care services, and programs now can help set you up for success later on if these things become more scarce. It’s a small step, but one that might have a big impact.
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