What's a 'Senior Citizen' where you live?

Answer 1

In the world of services for older Americans, this question usally generates a lot of discussion. Actually, I think the question of "senior citizenship" is a fact of "mind over matter"--if folks don't mind the fact that they are chronologically older, then their age doesn't matter!

When it comes to helping figure out how to fairly distribute public benefits, though, there is the matter of eligibility. For job-training for very low income job-seekers, the eligibility age is 55. For services under the Older Americans Act--such as "Meals on Wheels" or for support services to help caregivers of an "elderly" family member, the age eligibility is 60. For Medicare, the eligibility age is 65.

Some think that the eligibility ages for services in programs like these should be raised. Those who are members of minority groups, populations that have higer percentages of health problems like heart disease and diabetes, point out that since members of these groups tend to die at earlier ages, the eligibility age should remain the same.

Of course, businesses wanting to attract or maintain seniors' business can set the eligibility age at any number they wish.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Generally speaking, a senior citizen is anyone over 50 to 55 years of age. This is a broad generalization. Not worth much, in my opinion!!!