AARP Foundation: New poverty numbers shine a light on struggling older Americans

 “As seniors choose between food and medicine, some lawmakers are threatening lifeline programs”

 

Washington, DC – AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins released a statement following today’s announcement of poverty statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau. Using new measures that more accurately represent real world conditions, the Census now estimates more than 49 million Americans live in poverty, including more than six million seniors 65-plus. Jenkins’ statement follows:

“These new numbers only reinforce what AARP and AARP Foundation hear from real people every day: older Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Whether they are trying to put healthy food on their table, pay their latest pharmacy bill or maintain a safe home, the struggling economy is holding them back.

“To make matters worse, Washington is out of touch with its constituents. As seniors choose between food and medicine, some lawmakers are threatening lifeline programs that provide a boost to those in poverty or a safety net to those grasping at the middle class. With nearly 16 percent of seniors already living in poverty, our country cannot afford to slide further backward.”

AARP Foundation is working to ensure that low-income Americans 50-plus can regain a foothold and meet their basic needs. Through AARP’s Drive to End Hunger initiative, the Foundation has donated more than 3.7 million meals to local hunger relief organizations. Other Foundation programs help older Americans find and train for new jobs, access public benefits and complete their educations. More information is available at www.aarpfoundation.org.

AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. The Foundation is dedicated to serving vulnerable people 50+ by creating solutions that help them secure the essentials and achieve their best life. AARP Foundation focuses on: hunger, housing, income and isolation as our key mission areas. The Foundation envisions: ‘a country free of poverty where no older person feels vulnerable.’ Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions and AARP.

 For more information about AARP Foundation, please log on to www.aarpfoundation.org.