Chapter 15

1. Chapter 15 Politics, Policies, and Programs

2. Shrinking Resources The older population of the U.S. is growing in size. With fiscally conservative policies, the political climate has been increasingly hostile for older adults. Budget cutbacks over the past few decades have affected programs across the board. Economic downturns, including the 2008-2010 recession, have severely limited resources.

3. Early Rumblings Political movements are the combined result of social, economic, and historical events. In the early 1900s retirement was becoming increasingly mandatory, but pensions were rare, leading to widespread poverty among older adults. The Great Depression wiped out the pensions and savings of millions, with no way of earning more to support themselves.

4. The Townsend Plan By 1936, about 2.2 million people belonged to Townsend Clubs. Clubs advocated a plan calling for a sales tax to fund $200 payments to elderly adults that must be spent within the month. The plan was defeated on a national level, but it paved the way for Social Security.

5. Other Movements Other movements and proposals emerged in the 1930s and 1940s. Most extracted great sums of money from seniors themselves. The swindling of older adults made them appear vulnerable to the greed of corrupt plan leaders.

6. The 1960s and 1970s President Lyndon Johnson declared the War on Poverty, highlighting the needs of ethnic minority and elderly poor. There was increasing political activism, particularly about civil rights. The gay liberation and women’s movements gained steam in the 1970s. The Senior Power movement emerged.

7. Senior Power • Accomplishments • Older Americans Act (1965) • Medicare (1966) • Considerable political activism: gray power and demonstrations, sit-ins, and sleep-ins • The Gray Panthers, attacked the images of powerlessness, dependency, and slowness.

8. Senior Power Today

9. Voting Approximately 90% of Americans over age 50 are registered to vote, compared to 40% of those 18-29. Older people are generally twice as likely to vote as those under the age of 25. Contrary to stereotypes, older people are neither more nor less conservative than younger people. There is no senior “voting bloc”, even on issues affecting them directly.

10. Holding Office Only 2 U.S. presidents have entered office after the age of 65 (Harrison and Reagan), but many have turned 65 while in office. Supreme Court justices do not have term limits. Some members of Congress have served into their 80s and occasionally into their 90s. Since 1974 the average age has risen to over 50. The seniority system allows older members to wield the most power. We do not seem to be ruled by a gerontocracy. We have both old and young leaders.

11. Political Associations • Trade associations, such as the American Nursing Home Association, lobby for specific concerns and goals. • Professional associations, such as: • Gerontological Society • Association for Gerontology in Higher Education • American Society of Aging are primarily made up of academicians and practitioners in the field of gerontology.

12. Interest Groups • Interest groups are comprised of retirees from specific careers • National Association of Retired Federal Employees • National Retired Teachers Association

13. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Largest lobbyist for causes affecting older persons More than 37 million members over 50 Uses education, advocacy, and service Founded by Ethel Percy Andrus, who was forced to retire at age 65 from her job as the first female high school principal in California Includes Medicare supplements, long-term care, and automobile/homeowner and life insurance Offers discounts and savings

14. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare Founded by James Roosevelt (son of FDR), has a membership of more than 6 million Concerned about the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds Staff of professional lobbyists who work on behalf of older adults’ benefits Email news and updates and a monthly online newsletter

15. National Council of Senior Citizens Originated in 1961 as a pressure group to support the enactment of Medicare legislation Leadership comes from labor unions, such as the AFL-CIO. Their aims are: to support Medicare, to secure increases in Social Security, to reduce health costs, and to increase social programs for seniors.

16. National Council on Aging Founded in 1950, it is a confederation of social welfare agencies and professions in the field of aging. Goals are advocacy, policy and program development to benefit elders Publishes books, articles, and journals on aging Sponsors seminars and conferences; funds special interest groups to aid seniors

17. National Caucus and Center on Black Aged Formed in 1980 as a combination of two organizations Attempts to improve the quality and length of life for senior African Americans Focuses largely on employment, health, and housing at the national level

18. The Gray Panthers Founded by Maggie Kuhn, it is identified as a radical nonviolent movement Loosely organized multi-issue organization with no dues or formal membership E-newsletter informs people of health care reform issues, threatened shifts in Social Security policy, social and economic justice Communicates with activists throughout the world promoting peace, democracy and social justice Other issues include gay rights, hate crimes, and international peace

19. The Older Americans Act and Other Programs The Older Americans Act (OAA) is designed to ensure that older people’s needs are presented in social services allocations. Funding must be renewed by Congress every four years. The major proportion of funds is devoted to congregate meals, senior centers, and transportation programs. It includes Area Agencies on Aging that disseminate information about available social services.

20. Title I of the OAA Objectives for older Americans include: • Adequate income • Good physical and mental health • Suitable housing at reasonable cost • Full restorative services for those in institutional care • Equal employment opportunities • Retirement with dignity • Meaningful existence • Efficient, coordinated community services • Benefits of knowledge from research • Freedom, independence and initiative in the planning and management of one’s life

21. Meals and Nutrition Under the OAA, funds are available to all states to deliver meals to the homebound elderly (Meals on Wheels) or to serve meals in congregate sites ( such as churches, schools, senior centers) The congregate dining program is not based on income and there is no set charge.

22. Friendly Visiting and Telephone Reassurance Visitors are volunteers of all ages who have an interest in developing a friendly relationship with older persons. Telephone reassurance programs check on older persons daily by phone at a given time. Companionship, conversation and friendship for isolated seniors These programs have proved to be lifelines, for when the senior is ill and cannot respond, the staff immediately check on his/her welfare.

23. Employment The Senior Community Employment Program provides community service work opportunities for unemployed low-income persons aged 55 and over. Green Thumb offers part-time, minimum wage work in public projects that include landscaping, horticulture, and highway maintenance.

24. Adult Day Centers The OAA partially funds multipurpose day programs for older adults who need daily or weekly assistance, but not 24/7 institutional care. Older people may come to the centers for health care, meals, social activities, physical exercise, or rehabilitation.

25. Other Services Some agencies offer legal services for situations such as tenant-landlord disputes. There are also health services and housing services. Information and referral is a major part of the work.

26. Two Programs Not Funded by the OAA • Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) provides lifelong learning opportunities for older adults. • Directs a network of several thousand high schools, universities, national parks, environmental education centers, and other educational institutions as well as overseas locations • The Foster Grandparent Program pairs low-income older adults with troubled, disabled, or hospitalized children. Their main task is to serve as role models, mentors and friends for disadvantaged children. Volunteers help children with physical or speech therapy, or with homework.

27. Activism and Advocacy Activism includes joining voluntary organizations, entering local politics, and lobbying. Legal activism includes class-action lawsuits, filing grievances against Social Security or welfare departments, and voter registration drives. Collective activity involves drives, marches, and demonstrations.

28. Activism and Advocacy (con’t) Resistance activity includes boycotts, rent strikes, sit-ins, and voting. Advocacy involves using one’s resources and power for the benefit of a special-interest group. It combines the efforts of individuals, regardless of age, who desire to promote a more satisfying later life for all Americans.

29. The Equity Issue Generational Equity involves the question of whether programs for the elderly are at the expense of the younger generations. While some people hold that view, the fate of programs for children are more directly related to the economy. Intergenerational transfers involve exchanges between generations, with older generations’ decisions affecting their children’s and grandchildren’s futures.

30. Epilogue: A New Generation of Older Adults Elders are living longer and healthier lives. They are becoming more numerous and more visible in politics. The increased numbers and longevity are creating demands on resources. Baby Boomers are learning about old age issues from their parents, how to plan for their futures, including work and retirement, health, and finances. They will have different attitudes about marriage, family caregiving, community responsibility and personal growth.