Respect your elders. Many of us have been given that advice by our parents, grandparents, teachers and mentors for as long as we can remember. So why don't our public policies better address the needs of our country's seniors and their families, and why do some lawmakers seem poised to dismantle the policies that older Americans rely on?
Earlier this week, I was privileged to be a part of Volunteers of America's third annual discussion on aging issues. I was on a panel with Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post co-founder and editor-in-chief; Mike King, National President and CEO of Volunteers of America, Inc.; and Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, AARP Executive Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement. Our topic: How our nation's public policies affect older Americans, especially women.