Older American Month 50th Anniversary

Online, May 14, 2013 (Newswire.com) - This month, our nation marks the 50th anniversary of "Older American Month". First established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the celebration was then known as Senior Citizen's Month and came at a time when only 17 million Americans were at least 65 years of age.

By 2030, the number of people over the age of 65 will soar to 71.5 million - one in every five Americans. Yet, over half of America's communities have not initiated preparation to deal with the aging population.

In "Silver Orphan" - a social novel released last week - Martine Lacombe exposes the stark reality that will challenge society as a whole when this throng of senior citizens starts clamoring for a disproportionate percentage of limited resources.

Even the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church - a 1.2 billion-member strong behemoth - decries the current situation. In a book released last April, Pope Francis argues that the fight to preserve life is often centered on abortion and capital punishment, simultaneously warning against a more subtle form of disregard for human dignity: what he called "covert euthanasia". "In this consumerist, hedonist and narcissistic society, we are accustomed to the idea that there are people that are disposable," among them, the elderly, he said. Citing examples of intentional neglect, Pope Francis added: "I believe that today there is covert euthanasia: Our social security pays up until a certain amount of treatment and then says 'May God help you.'"

During "Older American Month", some lucky seniors will indeed answer the call to "Unleash the Power of Ages" exhorted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) Administration on Aging (AOA). Unfortunately, for 11 million American Silver Orphans, aging alone is anything but empowering.