Challenges facing seniors this Senior Citizen's Day
Chicago’s older adult population will double in size by 2030. With this population increase, the number of seniors living in poverty will also rise and the demand for social services will 
undoubtedly increase as well. Seniors who live on low-incomes face a myriad of challenges everyday: access to quality healthcare, access to adequate food, and access to affordable housing are among them.
National Senior Citizen’s Day was observed nationwide on August 21. We asked a handful of residents and friends of Nathalie Salmon House to share their views about crucial issues affecting older adults in the U.S. Here are excerpts from some of those conversations:
Thom: resident for 2 ½ years
Do you feel that older adults in the U.S. get adequate medical care?
No! Seniors need better doctors --- doctors who listen to their patients, doctors who are proactive. They don’t get enough training in medical school.
How so?
Doctors these days don’t know how to relate to patients. Seniors especially need extra attention. And doctors don’t spend enough time with you. It’s in and out.
I know that you changed doctors not too long ago. Are you happier now?
Yes. I’m with Oak Street Health now. They specialize in taking care of seniors. Before that I was with the VA. I had to travel all the way to Jesse Brown Hospital. The VA system is horrible. I had to wait three months to see a doctor.
The people who serve our country deserve better. You were stationed overseas with the U.S. Army, right?
Yes. I spent four years in Nuremberg, Germany. I worked a lot on border patrol. We were expected to stay outdoors for hours at a time. At night, in the wintertime, the weather was brutal.
And for risking your life in the name of freedom, you were rewarded with sub-standard medical care. It’s mind-boggling, really.
Well, the VA is getting a lot of bad press, so maybe they’ll clean up their act!
(Resource: Both the city of Chicago and the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs have programs that assist veterans and their families to understand and navigate the benefits available to them. Visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/veteran_s_resourceoffice/svcs/dfss_veteran_s_resourceofficeservices.html and http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/Pages/default.aspx.)
Ana: resident for 6 years
Do you feel that older adults have access to the services they need?
Definitely not. A lot of people who are eligible for food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid and other programs don’t know about them or don’t know how to apply.
(Resource: Apply for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), cash assistance and Medicaid throught the Illinois Department of Human Services. Info on how to apply can be found at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=33698.)
Why do you think that is?
The information just isn’t out there. You have to know your way around the system. When I moved to Chicago, I had to go to the hospital, and the social worker there told me about Medicaid. That’s how I found out.
(Resource: The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services/Senior Services – Area Agency on Aging provides information on benefits and programs for Chicago’s seniors. Visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/senior/svcs/information_and_assessment.html.html or call for Information and Assessment, (312) 744-4016. The regional senior centers are also a great place to get information on – and in some case, apply for – benefits and programs. Find the closest center to you at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/senior/svcs/regional_senior_centers.html.)
So how can the city do a better job spreading the word about senior benefits?
Good question. They should run public-service announcements on TV. And distribute information on how to apply – for example, in senior buildings, doctor’s offices.
You prompted me to look up a statistic. It turns out that only 39 percent of eligible seniors apply for food stamps!
I’m not surprised. Even if people know about a benefit, they wouldn’t necessarily know how to apply, especially if you’re not computer-savvy, and a lot of elderly people are not.
(Resource: Go to www.benefitscheckup.org to find benefit programs that can help you pay for medications, health care, food, utilities and more.)
Beverly: volunteer for 1 year and local resident
What is the biggest challenge that you’re facing right now?
That’s an easy one -- housing. I’m losing my apartment because I haven’t been able to keep up with the rent. I’m 59 years old now. There is no housing for someone in my situation.
What happened to you?
Well, I became disabled last year. My job actually laid me off while I was on medical leave. Anyway, my unemployment benefits ran out in April. I’m currently waiting for my Social Security Disability to take effect. Waiting and waiting.
Oh my goodness. What will you do now?
I’ve been packing up my apartment, bit by bit. I plan to move to Arizona. A good friend of mine is going to put me up until I can find my own place.
Did you look into emergency housing options here in Chicago?
I looked everywhere, and I mean everywhere. If you have no income, you can’t get housing. I also tried to get rental assistance, but you can’t get help if you have no income. It doesn’t make sense. The people who need help the most can’t get it! There is very little affordable housing available.
You’re so right. Do you know that according to certain City of Chicago guidelines, an apartment that rents for $800 a month is considered “affordable”?
No, I didn’t know that. There is no way that someone on a modest Social Security income can afford that kind of rent. I know I certainly can’t.
(Resource: http://www.ilhousingsearch.org/ is a good place to start a housing search. You can search by income, rent, accessibility, location and many more criteria.)
If you or a senior you know is looking for help finding healthcare, housing, or access to food, here are a few additional resources:
Greater Chicago Food Depository
DCFSS Community Service Centers
University of Chicago Senior Health Center at South Shore
Visit our website or contact us if you have any further questions.
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Cathie is a guest blogger and H.O.M.E.'s Shared Living Coordinator at Nathalie Salmon House.