HARRISBURG, Pa. – With the threat of huge cuts in Social Security benefits in the future, some voters are asking what plans the presidential candidates have to update the system.

The latest report by the Social Security trustees estimates that, if nothing is done, benefits could be cut by 25 percent in just 18 years.

AARP also has been asking the candidates what they would do, and Bill Johnston-Walsh, state director for AARP Pennsylvania, says four of the five leading candidates have responded.

"Some of the ideas that have come up are increasing the retirement age, means-testing higher incomes, increasing the payroll tax, indexing benefits to prices,” he states. “Some of the candidates believe in private accounts for Social Security."

AARP has posted the candidates' responses online at 2016TakeaStand.org.

Pennsylvania has the fourth-oldest population of all the states in the nation.

Johnston-Walsh points out that with 6.8 million Pennsylvanians currently paying into Social Security, all hoping to collect benefits when they retire, there's a lot at stake.

"We're concerned that the future generations coming up aren't saving the way they should, and we're worried that they're going to have just Social Security to live on,” he says. “And we have to keep that safety net there."

The Social Security system is 80 years old but hasn't had a major update since the Reagan administration.

Johnston-Walsh says political candidates have been talking about the problem for years, but now, they need to talk about solutions.

"The longer we wait, the harder the problem will be to solve and the less time workers will have to prepare for their future,” he states. “We can't kick the can down the road anymore. It's just not an option."




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Some 35 million people in Wyoming and across the U.S. struggle to put food on the table, and older adults experiencing food insecurity face numerous chronic health risks.

Alexandra Ashbrook - director of root causes and specific populations with the Food Research and Action Center - said generally, older Americans experience less food insecurity.

But she said due to longstanding structural inequities, some are at greater risk than others.

"Older adults who are Black or Latinx or Native American face higher rates of food insecurity," said Ashbrook. "And older adults raising children, so-called 'grandfamilies,' face higher rates of food insecurity."

People living in rural areas and low-income households are also at greater risk of developing chronic illness associated with food insecurity - including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Many forgo medical care and medication to pay for food.

Ashbrook said the good news is that there are proven strategies for reducing food insecurity - including SNAP, the program formerly known as food stamps.

Just 48% of older adults eligible for food assistance participate in SNAP, according to the most recent data.

Ashbrook said pride and the stigma associated with food stamps are major barriers. But she pointed out that Americans paid into the program their entire working lives in taxes to ensure that healthy, nutritious food is available in times of need.

"Older adults also may think that if they accept SNAP, that means someone else won't be able to access SNAP," said Ashbrook. "SNAP is actually a program that's available to anyone who meets eligibility. So it's not as if I participate in SNAP, I'm taking someone else's place."

Food insecurity among older adults living alone reached the highest rate in 20 years between 2020 and 2021, a time when fixed incomes were not able to keep up with rising costs.

Those adults were also not able to access the Child Tax Credit or other expanded federal programs.

Ashbrook noted that health care providers, a trusted resources for older adults, are well positioned to help if given proper tools and training.

"Identifying which patients are at risk of food insecurity," said Ashbrook, "and then connecting them to resources like SNAP, home delivered meals and congregate meals - health-care providers can play a role in addressing not only food insecurity but improving health and nutrition."

One in four Americans age 65 and older takes an unexpected fall each year. During Falls Prevention Awareness Week, experts are encouraging older North Carolinians to participate in local programs that can help them stay healthy, safe and independent.

Senior Project Manager for Falls Prevention for the NC Center for Health & Wellness at the University of North Carolina-Asheville, Ellen Bailey, pointed to data from last year showing falls can be fatal.

"About four older adults died every day from a fall in North Carolina, and many more were hospitalized or visited the emergency department due to a fall," said Bailey. "So, this is a great time with Falls Prevention Awareness Week to just highlight what people can do to prevent a fall, and to have those conversations."

She said regular exercise improves balance and strengthens legs, which is an important part of preventing a fall. She recommended checking with a healthcare provider about which type of exercise is best.

A list of local events is online at 'ncfallsprevention.org.'

Jennifer Tripken - Associate Director of the Center for Healthy Aging with the National Council on Aging - said the Falls Free Checkup, a brief online questionnaire, can help anyone gauge their risk.

"If somebody is leaning on furniture, or feels a little bit unsteady on their feet, that's good to know," said Tripken. "Because that's an indicator that there's something that person can do about that. They should look to engage in a strength and balance or flexibility exercise program."

Bailey added that having open and ongoing conversations about preventing falls can stave off trips to the Emergency Room, hospital stays and decreased quality of life.

"Often people don't want to talk about it, or their fear of falling," said Bailey. "And they don't think of fall risk until something happens."

She added that regular vision checkups and proper footwear are other priorities for preventing falls, as well as being aware of any medication side effects that might trigger dizziness or sleepiness.

From COVID infections to dangerously hot weather, older South Dakotans have had a lot of warnings the past couple of years to adhere to. But experts say these individuals also need to be mindful of injury risks in the home.

This week is Falls Prevention Awareness Week, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one fourth of Americans 65 and older experience a fall each year.

Leacey Brown is a gerontology field specialist at the South Dakota State University Extension Service, who said getting older adults to report what happened is part of the challenge.

"Older adults are afraid to tell anyone that they're experiencing falls," said Brown, "because they might get placed in a facility or taken out of their home."

Experts say as a person ages, their muscles start to weaken and their balance isn't always as steady. Having to rely more on prescription drugs for a chronic illness could be another fall risk factor.

The National Council on Aging says reviewing medication usage with your doctor could help, along with strength and balance programs. Hiring someone to add grab bars and better lighting in the home is suggested, too.

Associate Director of the Center for Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging, Jennifer Tripken, said it shouldn't be accepted that this is a normal part of the aging process - and that individuals should feel empowered to take action, if there are warning signs.

"There's a lot of different reasons why someone falls," said Tripken. "The good news is there's a lot of different things that we can do to offset and minimize those risks."

Another option is a free online assessment on the Council's website, which offers a falls risk score and resources to prevent falls.

Meanwhile, Brown said in a rural state such as South Dakota, it might be harder to locate a home modification professional - but there are options to turn to.

"The 211 Helpline Center," said Brown, "they have a database that has some of the home modification providers listed. Dakota at Home is another service that somebody living in a rural community could contact."

She added that families and caretakers shouldn't rush to move a loved one out of their home after a fall, and prevention efforts should be tried first if the situation allows.