Summary of Poverty and the Elderly | BK Live | 7.14.15
The discussion in the video "Poverty and the Elderly" highlights the alarming statistics regarding poverty among seniors in New York City, with over 300,000 elderly individuals living in poverty. The presenters emphasize that this issue affects various demographic groups, with higher poverty rates among Latinos (30%), Asians (25%), African Americans (20%), and whites (15%). Despite these figures, the plight of seniors is often overlooked in societal discussions and policy-making.
Judy Willing, the executive director of Heights and Hills, and Bobby Sackman, director of public policy at LiveOn, discuss the underlying reasons for senior poverty. They point out that many of the poorest seniors are women, people of color, or immigrants who have been marginalized throughout their lives, often leaving the workforce to care for family members and thus not contributing to Social Security. The presenters note that the current system fails to support these seniors adequately, with many unable to access Medicaid or other essential services.
The conversation also touches on the cultural perception of aging, suggesting that society's youth-centric focus contributes to the invisibility of seniors and their needs. There is a call for greater advocacy and visibility for older adults, as well as a need for intergenerational dialogue that includes seniors in discussions about family and community support.
Moreover, the presenters highlight the challenges faced by caregivers, who are often women sacrificing their own financial stability to care for elderly relatives. They stress the importance of recognizing the value of caregiving and the need for increased support and funding for caregiver programs.
The video concludes with a call to action, urging society to recognize the growing elderly population and the urgent need for advocacy and policy changes to support seniors and their caregivers. The presenters advocate for a more inclusive approach that acknowledges the contributions of older adults and addresses the systemic issues leading to their marginalization.
Presenters:
- Judy Willing, Executive Director of Heights and Hills
- Bobby Sackman, Director of Public Policy at LiveOn
Notable Quotes
— 03:16 — « Few people are paying attention to this and seniors are not visible. They're just not physical. I think that's the most frightening part of this is that it's a hidden issue and it's an issue that affects all of us. »
— 03:54 — « We need to start talking. We need to change our rhetoric to begin with, which is as Bobby said when we talk about families, we need to talk about families across generations. »
— 08:06 — « It is amazing to me that there's this total disconnect between the fact that seniors vote in large numbers and what comes back for them. »
— 16:33 — « Caregiving for older adults is the workforce issue for women of the 21st century. »
Category
News and Commentary