Seniors

California Democrats recognize the importance of our seniors, the fastest growing age group in the nation, and believe they enrich our everyday experiences, connect us with our past and forecast our collective future. We affirm and embrace the continuing contributions of our seniors and we continue to be committed to fostering the strong bond between the young, those in the middle, and our elders. Our seniors deserve the highest standard of care from the health care industry and a prescription drug program that helps them get the medicine they need.  We are committed to protecting homeownership and hard-earned pensions as well as the support services and assistance that collectively help seniors maintain independence and quality of life. We strongly believe that, personal circumstances permitting, seniors be offered the opportunity to remain in jobs that they have so successfully performed in for many, many years. Early, forced retirement costs seniors much needed income, results in loss or reduction of benefits and brings additional financial burden to Social Security and Medi Care. It also results, sometimes, in a very inexperienced workforce.

To honor California seniors, Democrats will:

• Oppose mandatory retirement;
• Strengthen Social Security and preserve hard-earned pensions as the bedrocks of a dignified retirement;
• Continue Medicare as the Defined Benefit Plan;  
• Work toward universal, comprehensive health care; until that is achieved, reform Medicare Part D to make it clear, affordable and easily accessible to people of all incomes levels, specifically addressing the numerous eligibility problems encountered by pharmacists and the confusing number of private drug plans from which millions of retirees have been forced to choose;
• Affirm the right of all seniors to manage their attendant care so they may live with dignity in their own homes and communities;
• Increased, stable funding, and expansion of service hours that are provided the clients for In Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
• Investigate and prosecute crimes against seniors, including white-collar and financial schemes as well as elder abuse, and strictly enforce all existing penalties for crimes against seniors;
• Increase counseling, emergency, and permanent , low to moderate income, affordable senior housing, and the number of senior centers that provide services, including day care efforts, help for seniors with Alzheimer’s, as well as support for their families, and more food banks for the growing number of seniors who lack basic, adequate nutrition; and
• We support increased public transportation and other transit services to support seniors on limited incomes with or without health concerns to travel freely and enjoy a quality lifestyle.