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On Veterans Day and beyond, treasure the seniors who served America
On Veterans Day, the article argues that honouring veterans should extend to supporting older Americans who face loneliness and isolation. It presents seniors as a source of national strength and says families, communities and government share a responsibility to help them stay connected and independent.
Nearly half of US veterans are 65 or older, and almost one in four Americans aged 65 and above is socially isolated. The article cites a Meals on Wheels volunteer who found a client injured at home, and says isolation is associated with about $1,600 in extra Medicare spending per person each year; a private nursing-home room costs nearly $130,000 annually. It also backs bipartisan legislation to renew the Older Americans Act, passed unanimously by the Senate in July, and improve loneliness screening through the SENIOR Act.
In short
- The article urges greater support for older Americans, including veterans.
- Nearly one in four Americans aged 65 and over is socially isolated.
- It calls for community action and bipartisan legislation.
Explained simply
Veterans Day is a US national holiday that honours people who served in the armed forces. Many veterans are now older adults, and some live alone or have limited contact with other people; social isolation can affect health and make it harder to manage everyday needs.
Meals on Wheels is a US service that delivers meals to older people, often through local volunteers. The Older Americans Act supports services that help older adults live independently, while the proposed SENIOR Act would encourage health providers to screen older patients for loneliness. These efforts involve families, communities and government, and reflect wider questions about how to support an ageing population.