' I hear you got your families living in cages taut and cold, Some just sit there and dust away past the age of old.' Jimi Hendrix. Up from the Skies. This is the last in a series of posts that I hope have upset you. They should. I am 67 years old, which means I am officially a senior citizen. I know folks who call that middle age but, as my Dad once said, not unless you expect to live to 130. I have no such expectation.
Physically, it's tough at times. I can be dog tired for no reason and, when arthritis kicks in, I can barely walk. My vision is poor and I don't hear too well. Some days, here and there, I feel pretty darn good. Mostly, I live in a middle zone. Not awful, but not good. I certainly have lost energy. Mentally, I have days when I feel 100 and days when I feel 20, but even on good days, I cannot hold my concentration like I used to. But, it's all okay. It's just the way life is.
I try to stay connected to the World. That's one reason I write. And here comes the issue I want to touch on.
When I was young, and yes I know that phrase is annoying, old folks were part of our lives. We learned much from then and, for the most part, it was a delight to be around them. That does not seem to be the case anymore.
I worked for a long time at a S. Florida condo, a place where old folks went to live. In talking to them, I learned that most of them had little contact with their adult children and less with the grandkids. A card on the holidays, a call here and there, maybe a visit once every 2 or 3 years for a day or 2. The rest of their lives were spent watching TV and playing cards. They were bored and eventually grew listless. They existed. That's about all. A few lucky ones found little jobs. That gave them a reason to feel like they were still an active part of things.
Now, if you are on a fixed income, trust me, it is hard to get by Do not believe for a minute all those ads and shows on TV where old folks are partying and golfing and going on exotic journeys. That is just BS. A few, do such things but for most of the elderly, surviving is an issue. Mix that with long periods of neglect and you have a deplorable situation.
There was a time when older folks could find little jobs. Now, those jobs are taken by younger people who will work 3 little jobs instead of getting some training to get a good job, They do this because they know that if they except low wages, they can get away with poor work. I see this every day. I would love to find a small job and I can proudly say that I was and would still be an excellent worker.
Even if jobs are unavailable, the elderly need to feel included. Just talk to us. I promise, we won't bite. Most of us are eager to stay in touch with the World and want to just talk and learn and exchange stories.
Money is an issue. If employers won't hire older folks, then others need to step forward, Not the Government, They botch almost everything they touch. Private groups, Churches and most importantly families and neighbors need to offer a helping hand.
We are not saints, nor are we necessarily fountains of wisdom. We are just human beings and once more I ask, Are you?
Showing posts with label elderly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elderly. Show all posts
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Monday, March 21, 2016
Americans on the Edge of Survival - The Elderly
I am entering the part of my life when some would consider me elderly. I do not think of myself as such and refuse to do so, but I can see their point and can now see the problems face by our Nation's senior citizens.
First, economics. Of course many seniors are in fine financial shape, and God bless them. I, and my wife are okay. We went through some horrific times but now we survive somewhat comfortably and in that regard, we are fortunate. Many, many are far less fortunate. Statistics show that a large percentage of those on Social Security depend on that for most, if not all, of their income. Let me assure you; living on Social Security is difficult, very nearly impossible.
There are programs like Food Stamps to help but here is how that works. We applied and at last were told that, because of our combined income, we would get $40/month. $40. Any of you who have shopped in recent years know how little that buys.
As far as health care goes, our state, Georgia, gives little for Medicaid, and Medicare is too high for anyone on Social Security to afford. Yes, Part A is free, but that just covers some hospitalization costs. Part B would cost us around $170 per month, each. If we lost that much of our monthly income, we would be living on the streets.
Since I mentioned living on the streets, I want you to know that many seniors are doing just that. Others, like us, are living in rent-by-the-week extended stays motels and efficiencies. I will get to those accommodations in another post, but, in short, it is not a great lifestyle. Those needing assisted care have a bigger problem. There are beautiful Senior Assisted Living Facilities but they are very expensive. There are also such facilities that are dumps, unfit for humans to live in. I knew a man in Florida who owned several and I would not have housed a cockroach in one of them. The deal is this; you give them your Social Security each month and they give you a bed and something resembling food. If you have a specific medical condition that requires constant care, you may, in some states, get Medicaid to pay for a proper nursing home, but that, I know from experience with relatives, is not a lot better.
There is another problem Seniors have that is not financial, but social, even spiritual. Many Seniors who manage to afford living on their own, are just that, on their own. They may have outlived spouses or been alone since divorces. Some never had kids, some have outlived their kids, and many are just ignored, nearly abandoned by the kids they raised. I have known many of them who were living in little apartments, on their own, who were lucky to see their remaining family once a year, maybe get a phone call on their birthday and a card at Christmas. Humans are social animals and do not do well at all when left alone. True, most communities have Senior Centers but I believe that, while it is nice to have friends your own age, it is better to be around a variety of different folks.
The answer, well that really is fairly easy. The Government needs to stop wasting money on idiotic military adventures and needs to stop subsidizing industries that should be functioning without assistance, such as ethanol production, corn growers (who grow the corn for that nearly useless ethanol), tobacco farmers, the solar and wind energy production products, and many more industries. While we are at it, it would be a fine idea to audit the Federal Reserve just so we could see how they are manipulating our economy. Then, I have no doubt, the American people would demand an end to their nonsense (I decide to use polite language) and our economy could finally be restored to the way it is supposed to function. And, on top of both of those steps, we could stop borrowing money to send aid to foreign nations. I cannot see the sense in that and we keep doing it (right as I write this, Hillary is going on and on about our continued support for Israel. We borrow money, give it to them, then when our own people need help, well, sorry, we don't have the money.)
As far as the social aspect goes, that is even simpler. If you have elderly members of your family, take some time and visit, call, write, whatever you can do, to just let them know that they are thought of. When you see Seniors on the street, in parks, malls, restaurants, wherever, talk to them. They will not bite and you may meet some new, bright, funny friends. And, if you have a little free time and a few older neighbors, hang out with them a little. You have nothing to lose. You can miss and episode of The Bold and the Beautiful or a few minutes of one of the countless games on TV each week. It will mean more than you know to them, and I will bet you have a lot better time that you expect. In short, be human and show a little compassion.
First, economics. Of course many seniors are in fine financial shape, and God bless them. I, and my wife are okay. We went through some horrific times but now we survive somewhat comfortably and in that regard, we are fortunate. Many, many are far less fortunate. Statistics show that a large percentage of those on Social Security depend on that for most, if not all, of their income. Let me assure you; living on Social Security is difficult, very nearly impossible.
There are programs like Food Stamps to help but here is how that works. We applied and at last were told that, because of our combined income, we would get $40/month. $40. Any of you who have shopped in recent years know how little that buys.
As far as health care goes, our state, Georgia, gives little for Medicaid, and Medicare is too high for anyone on Social Security to afford. Yes, Part A is free, but that just covers some hospitalization costs. Part B would cost us around $170 per month, each. If we lost that much of our monthly income, we would be living on the streets.
Since I mentioned living on the streets, I want you to know that many seniors are doing just that. Others, like us, are living in rent-by-the-week extended stays motels and efficiencies. I will get to those accommodations in another post, but, in short, it is not a great lifestyle. Those needing assisted care have a bigger problem. There are beautiful Senior Assisted Living Facilities but they are very expensive. There are also such facilities that are dumps, unfit for humans to live in. I knew a man in Florida who owned several and I would not have housed a cockroach in one of them. The deal is this; you give them your Social Security each month and they give you a bed and something resembling food. If you have a specific medical condition that requires constant care, you may, in some states, get Medicaid to pay for a proper nursing home, but that, I know from experience with relatives, is not a lot better.
There is another problem Seniors have that is not financial, but social, even spiritual. Many Seniors who manage to afford living on their own, are just that, on their own. They may have outlived spouses or been alone since divorces. Some never had kids, some have outlived their kids, and many are just ignored, nearly abandoned by the kids they raised. I have known many of them who were living in little apartments, on their own, who were lucky to see their remaining family once a year, maybe get a phone call on their birthday and a card at Christmas. Humans are social animals and do not do well at all when left alone. True, most communities have Senior Centers but I believe that, while it is nice to have friends your own age, it is better to be around a variety of different folks.
The answer, well that really is fairly easy. The Government needs to stop wasting money on idiotic military adventures and needs to stop subsidizing industries that should be functioning without assistance, such as ethanol production, corn growers (who grow the corn for that nearly useless ethanol), tobacco farmers, the solar and wind energy production products, and many more industries. While we are at it, it would be a fine idea to audit the Federal Reserve just so we could see how they are manipulating our economy. Then, I have no doubt, the American people would demand an end to their nonsense (I decide to use polite language) and our economy could finally be restored to the way it is supposed to function. And, on top of both of those steps, we could stop borrowing money to send aid to foreign nations. I cannot see the sense in that and we keep doing it (right as I write this, Hillary is going on and on about our continued support for Israel. We borrow money, give it to them, then when our own people need help, well, sorry, we don't have the money.)
As far as the social aspect goes, that is even simpler. If you have elderly members of your family, take some time and visit, call, write, whatever you can do, to just let them know that they are thought of. When you see Seniors on the street, in parks, malls, restaurants, wherever, talk to them. They will not bite and you may meet some new, bright, funny friends. And, if you have a little free time and a few older neighbors, hang out with them a little. You have nothing to lose. You can miss and episode of The Bold and the Beautiful or a few minutes of one of the countless games on TV each week. It will mean more than you know to them, and I will bet you have a lot better time that you expect. In short, be human and show a little compassion.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Americans on the Edge, of Survival - Introduction
Today, I am beginning a multipart series on Americans who are struggling just to get by, to survive in the Nation's current climate. Because the weekend is upon us, the next 2 blogs will be of a lighter nature, but Monday I will get back to this topic. Most of what I write is just me sounding off about things that I find humorous or things that anger me, but this series is about what I believe is the most serious problem in America.
This is an incredibly wealthy land but there are many, many of its citizens who are ignored, even abused, and left to suffer. Homelessness is far more prevalent than it should be and many who do have homes are sharing overcrowded dwellings with relatives or living in tiny, pay-by-the-week efficiencies. Trust me, the latter are often barely fit for human habitation and yet, you often find children, often several per room, dwelling in them.
Medical care is woeful. Do not tell me about the wonders of Obamacare. There are many who fall between the cracks, folks with just enough not to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay for a half way decent insurance policy. Medicare is expensive and does not cover a whole lot of procedures. Many states did not go along with the Federal plan and have not increased Medicaid funding and those living in said states are left hanging. Dental care, not for cosmetic issues but for necessary procedures is just not there. And still, costs of Medical care rise.
Many in this land, which produces so much of the World's food, go hungry. Even if those folks are not actually hungry, they are malnourished because they can afford only the cheapest foods, starchy, fatty, sugary junk that fills the stomach without providing a damn bit of nutrition.
Mental health is said to be a vital concern and, when someone acts out enough to get in trouble they may be given a handful of ridiculously powerful drugs to stun them into submission but that is no way to treat human beings. Are we really all so busy that we cannot take a little time to help those who are having trouble coping with this mad World we have created. Unfortunately, often those who are force fed pills and told to behave are those least able to help themselves, children.
We, the American people are guilty of ignoring, shunning, and on occasion, abusing the elderly, children, damaged war veterans, impoverished young women and men, the physically and mentally disadvantaged and should hang our collective heads in shame. Those who run this land should be taken from their positions of wealth and power and imprisoned for this unconscionable behavior. Jesus taught that "he who does these things to the least of you, does them to me." He also said that "as you sow, so shall you reap." A day of reckoning will come and answers will have to be given for this detestable behavior. Good luck to those who choose to ignore these really very easily solved problems.
Have fun, it is the weekend and I truly do wish everyone a fine one. I hope you read my next 2 posts. They will be lighthearted and interesting, but, more importantly, I want you to read the next few after that and give some thought to them.
This is an incredibly wealthy land but there are many, many of its citizens who are ignored, even abused, and left to suffer. Homelessness is far more prevalent than it should be and many who do have homes are sharing overcrowded dwellings with relatives or living in tiny, pay-by-the-week efficiencies. Trust me, the latter are often barely fit for human habitation and yet, you often find children, often several per room, dwelling in them.
Medical care is woeful. Do not tell me about the wonders of Obamacare. There are many who fall between the cracks, folks with just enough not to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay for a half way decent insurance policy. Medicare is expensive and does not cover a whole lot of procedures. Many states did not go along with the Federal plan and have not increased Medicaid funding and those living in said states are left hanging. Dental care, not for cosmetic issues but for necessary procedures is just not there. And still, costs of Medical care rise.
Many in this land, which produces so much of the World's food, go hungry. Even if those folks are not actually hungry, they are malnourished because they can afford only the cheapest foods, starchy, fatty, sugary junk that fills the stomach without providing a damn bit of nutrition.
Mental health is said to be a vital concern and, when someone acts out enough to get in trouble they may be given a handful of ridiculously powerful drugs to stun them into submission but that is no way to treat human beings. Are we really all so busy that we cannot take a little time to help those who are having trouble coping with this mad World we have created. Unfortunately, often those who are force fed pills and told to behave are those least able to help themselves, children.
We, the American people are guilty of ignoring, shunning, and on occasion, abusing the elderly, children, damaged war veterans, impoverished young women and men, the physically and mentally disadvantaged and should hang our collective heads in shame. Those who run this land should be taken from their positions of wealth and power and imprisoned for this unconscionable behavior. Jesus taught that "he who does these things to the least of you, does them to me." He also said that "as you sow, so shall you reap." A day of reckoning will come and answers will have to be given for this detestable behavior. Good luck to those who choose to ignore these really very easily solved problems.
Have fun, it is the weekend and I truly do wish everyone a fine one. I hope you read my next 2 posts. They will be lighthearted and interesting, but, more importantly, I want you to read the next few after that and give some thought to them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)