America's Seniors Just One Bad Budget Plan Away from Financial Crisis

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Apr 18, 2011, 03:10 ET

One-Hour Webinar Will Highlight New Threats to Older Adults' Economic Security, Innovative "One Away" Advocacy Campaign

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The federal budget battle is heating up—and critical programs that help vulnerable and disadvantaged older Americans are on the chopping block. Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are all possible targets.

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Yet more than 13 million older adults are already living in or on the edge of poverty, on less than $22,000 each year. These seniors have to decide every day whether to pay for food, medicine, or a place to live. They live one bad break away from financial crisis.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA), one of the nation's most trusted advocates for older people, is hosting a webinar to analyze the implications of these budget cuts. The webinar will discuss the real needs of low-income older people and highlight personal stories of struggle from older adults and their families gathered through our recently launched One Away video advocacy campaign (www.OneAway.org). Also covered will be NCOA's work on innovative programs to create greater economic security for older adults.

When: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 10-11 a.m. EDT

Where: NCOA Webinar

Who: Jim Firman, NCOA, CEO, will provide an overview of the problem of elder economic insecurity, offer analysis of our recent poll gauging American's awareness of seniors' economic struggles, and bring attention to personal stories from older people and their families that are pouring into the website of NCOA's One Away campaign.

Howard Bedlin, NCOA, Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, will cover the scope of enacted and proposed budget and program cuts and their implications for vulnerable older people.

Sandra Nathan, NCOA, Senior Vice President, Economic Security, will review the range of services and solutions offered by NCOA and others that can help older people deal with economic uncertainty and make ends meet.

Kellie Elliott Kapparos of the Heritage Area Agency on Aging in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will describe her experience working on the ground with Iowa's seniors and her participation in the One Away campaign. Kellie will be joined by an older client who will describe their own economic struggles.

About One Away
One Away is an innovative, national video advocacy campaign that gives voice to vulnerable older adults who are struggling to make ends meet in today's economy. The campaign captures real stories of seniors on video—and calls for legislative and policy changes to make it easier for them to get the services and supports they need to live with independence and dignity. NCOA is working with Local Advocacy Partners around the country to build support for this campaign. Join the campaign now at www.OneAway.org and www.facebook.com/OneAwayCampaign.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit: www.NCOA.org /www.facebook.com/NCOAging / www.twitter.com/NCOAging.

SOURCE National Council on Aging