US Seniors Need Stimulus Too

Early in February we were reading Why Seniors Need Their Own Stimulus Program.  It was suggested that the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) should seek a deal with the government on behalf of the nation’s older citizens. AARP is a membership organization for people age 50 and over leading positive social change through information, advocacy and service.  The pitch was that things would be getting tougher for seniors, so there should be an infrastructure program for the reinvention of our communities to fit the needs of an aging population. 

No-one has picked up this clarion call as far as we can see.  Indeed the latest headline is asking Will the Stimulus Package Leave Vulnerable Seniors in the Cold?  Anyone visiting Recovery.gov will learn that its goal is to be the “centerpiece” of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the stimulus package. In a special section on “Where is Your Money Going?“, the website reports that $81 billion will be devoted to “Protecting the Vulnerable.”  Unfortunately clicking through to learn more about how the vulnerable will be protected, provides few details.

New information on the allocation of funds will be posted on Recovery.gov as it becomes available.  We trust that this vulnerable section of society that has few powerful lobbyists is not forgotten in the collective concern for recovery.