Chapter 15, week 8
Chapter fifteen deals with
politics, policies, and programs.
“Approximately ninety percent of Americans over age fifty are registered
to vote, compared with an overall national figure of less than seventy five
percent” (p.408). This gives the elderly
a large amount of power when they vote as a bloc. “In all recent elections; older people are
more likely to vote than younger ones” (p.408).
Their politics are fairly balanced between the Democratic and Republican
parties. The chapter mentions six
organizations that represents older people that are successful and growth. AARP which is “the premier lobbyist for
causes primarily impacting older people” (p.410). Not only is it nonprofit but it is also
nonpartisan. The National committee to
Preserve Social Security and Medicare is an organization that “is concerned
about the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds” (p.411). Social Security and Medicare benefits are to
be protected and improved by the professional lobbyists that work for the
organization. The National Council of
Senior Citizens purpose is to push the government “to get things done on behalf
of the aged” (p.411). The National
Council on the Aging is headquartered in Washington, D.C., sponsors conferences
and seminars, publishes on the subject of aging; and funds different special
interest groups. The National Caucus and
Center on Black Aged is an organization that aims “improve the quality and
length of life for senior African Americans” (p.412). Equality and access issues are concerns of
this organization. The Gray Panthers is
a political group that strives to put “the needs of people over profit, responsibility
over power and democracy over institutions” (p.413).
The two programs not funded by OAA are Exploritis and Foster grandparent program. Both are great programs. Exploritis was founded by Marty Knowlton and David Bianco. This program is to provide lifelong learning opportunities for adults. This leaner found that interesting because it supports adults. This program stretches from Boston to a network of schools, universities, national parks, and environmental education centers all over.
ReplyDeleteThe other program, Foster grandparent program, it pairs low-income older adults with troubled, disabled, or hospitalized children. This learner found that to be the most interesting. Volunteer grandparents receive training in a area of their choice. It allows low income citizens age 60 and older use their time to provide love and care to disadvantage children. This learner feels that both young and elderly people benefit from this program. This learner believes that both program benefit everyone involved.
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteThis chapter provided great information about the many organizations and associations available to assist the elderly. It is good to know what each group represents and what they stand for and that the elderly are not waiting for someone else to stand up and fight for them. The elderly are willing to get in there and get their own hands dirty with organizations such as the Gray Panthers, Senior Power and Older Americans Act (OAA). Even though OAA does not fund the Exploritis and Foster grandparent programs, they are still available to provide assistance and support to the elderly. There are many programs that can and do, provide services to the elderly, but social workers are needed to help make sure these services continue to be available and that they do what is necessary to make living in society better for the elderly generation.