Protecting the Rights of Senior Citizens: The Senior Citizens League

Senior citizens' lives are affected by many federal, state and local laws and regulations. Senior citizens are often discriminated, excluded, abused and segregated by younger citizens. Senior citizens are often put under a negative light by the younger generation, but senior citizens are proven to often be wiser than the younger generation, having acquired more knowledge and understanding throughout the years.  The elderly help us understand the past, teach us timeless lessons about life, and serve as role models for younger generations through their legacy of endurance, courage, patriotism, and love.  Many senior citizens depend on the government for such things as housing, basic income and health care. There is help available, at little or no cost, to people 60 years of age and over who need legal assistance.

The elderly are the fastest growing population worldwide, and one that raises major social and political changes. Even though they remain a small minority (7% of the population globally), it is a very significantly growing one that is expected to be bigger than children under 5 years of age within a decade. According to the Census Bureau for Older American Month, there are 36.3 million people living in the United States above the age of 65, considered to be senior citizens, or the elderly. There is a projected population increase to 86.7 million senior citizens living in the United States by the year 2050, compromising 21% of the population by that time.  

Many groups have been formed worldwide to defend the civil rights of senior citizens. One very notable group is the The Senior Citizens League (TSCL). Established in 1992, the TSCL consists of active senior citizens concerned about the protection of their Medicare, veteran of military retiree benefits, and social security.  There are over 1,300,000 active members/supporters. Approximately three-quarters of the membership are between the ages of 76 and 85. Nearly all are over the age of 60. Most members either served in the Armed Forces during World War II or played a part in the war effort. To try and pursue its goals of defending senior citizens' civil rights, TSCL distributes a newsletter (The Social Security & Medicare Advisor) ten times a year to approximately 150,000 of the most active supporters and to all Members of Congress, and has sent out more than one and a half million books and pamphlets. Senior citizens and retirees have also participated in a number of public education campaigns on behalf of TSCL. 

Reference:
http://www.seniorsleague.org/
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/censusandstatistics/a/olderstats.htm
http://www.cardi.ie/userfiles/Human%20Rights%20of%20the%20Elderly.pdf