Tuesday, November 8th this year.
The population of Americans who are 65 and over is currently around 13 percent. That number will continue to rise as more and more Baby Boomers become seniors. Historically, older adults show up at the polls to vote in great numbers. Most consider it to be their patriotic duty.
By The Numbers: Celebrate Senior Voters
Both U.S. News and World Report and the U.S. Census have reported on the record number of seniors that have turned out to vote in the last few elections:
- 61 percent of citizens age 65 and older voted in the November 2010 election, a bigger turnout than any other age group
- 54 percent of those aged 55 to 64 also cast a ballot in November 2010
- People age 65 and older are the most likely to vote in Washington (77 percent), Maine (76 percent), and Montana (75 percent)
- 2.4 million people age 65 and older voted in California in 2010
- 1.7 million older people voted in Florida in 2010
- 1.4 million senior-citizen voted in New York in 2010
- In 2012, there was an even higher senior voter turnout, with 72 percent of people aged 65 and older showing up at the ballots
If it’s been challenging for you to pay attention to the real issues in this election because of all the mudslinging that’s been going on, you’re not alone.
But it’s important to know how the next President might have a direct impact on different parts of your life.
What’s at Stake for Seniors in This Election?
Even though many political debates can focus more on taxes, jobs and foreign affairs, there are plenty of domestic issues that will affect seniors on Election Day:
- Social Security. Social Security is a source of income that many seniors have come to depend on over the years. A 2015 report from the AARP Public Policy Institute found that Social Security kept more than 15 million Americans over the age of 65 out of poverty in 2013.
It’s no secret, however, that Social Security benefits are will face some significant financial challenges in the coming years that will make it difficult to provide for older Americans the same way that it has for prior generations.
- Health Care. In 2015, 55 million Americans benefitted from the government health care program for people over 65 known as Medicare. That number is expected to rise as the Baby Boomers continue to retire over the next 10 years.
Affordable, reliable health care is one of the main concerns that comes with age. Although Medicare provides health care for millions of Americans every day, there are still major problems with the program, including the need to address long-term and chronic care.
- Food Insecurity. Although you might not know it based on the heaping portions you receive at restaurants, many people in America go hungry every day. One-third of low-income seniors who are currently eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) actually do. If funding to programs like Meals on Wheels or Feeding America Food Banks is cut, it could have a detrimental effect on millions of seniors across the country.
Education is the first step in being proactive about anything–whether it’s your health, politics, or making a move into a senior living community. Find a local Five Star Indiana community near you and keep the conversation going in a warm, social environment!