Making the Country Better for Seniors

If you followed the presidential campaign, you saw #MAGA (Make America Great Again) by the GOP, and #BetterTogether by the Dems. Social media turns content and news into a hashtag parade of tweets and follows.

If I start a social media campaign to make cities and states become a better place for older adults, what should I call it? At first, I thought #AgingMatters, and a friend suggested #BetterThanBingo. The entire premise is to get city and state officials to consider what the older voters want. Sometimes it feels like we're left behind, especially on important topics like transportation, health care, affordable housing, etc. Do you feel that way?

If you're 55 or 60 and older, do you feel ignored and what you want doesn't matter? And your needs and desires have little value to government officials and business leaders? That's how I feel too, and I want to do something about it by starting a hashtag campaign to promote healthy aging and lifestyles - but I'm at a loss for what to call it!

The campaign comes about after hearing the worries, fears, and hardships that individuals have and talk about on Facebook. The issues are challenging and require collective answers and solutions, from officials AND citizens. We're in this together, and since the aging population explodes , we need answers and need them fast because it feels like we're on a sinking ship.

City and state officials hold the key to solving aging in place worries. That's why I plan to ask members at the state senate and congress, and even city officials on how they can help us make cities better for seniors. Here are the issues we live with:

Affordable housing

Transportation options

Socialization and healthy lifestyles

Financial support

Healthcare

The compressed list illustrates the matters that adults need to age in place, and most of us want to live at home. Besides, senior housing like independent and assisted living, and nursing homes, come with a hefty price tag. But what gets in the way of healthy "aging in place" are the exact issues above. Being a senior citizen, here are a few questions I'll take to the government chambers.

Housing - what are city planners doing to make housing accessible and affordable?

Transportation - seniors need to get around, what are city officials doing about it?

Financial - what type of jobs do you offer seniors? What opportunities do you hope to create that focus on seniors working?

Social activities - what social endeavors, organizations, etc. are available for seniors to help deal with isolation, and become more involved?

Healthcare - what health care assistance do you offer that will help people get the care they need?

Soon the campaign will launch - What should I call it?