Why should seniors care about the 2020 census?
This is a very unique census at a critical time in our nation’s history for seniors!
The 2020 census is going to be the most impacted by the digital age in the history of the data collection initiative. That is truly a blessing and a curse. Seniors have always been the most reliable demographic in terms of responding to the census, but due to technological concerns, this could be the first census in years where that is not true. The ramifications could be dire. The census numbers directly impact funding for many programs that are vital to our nation’s senior population. With that said, let’s take a look at some reasons that this 2020 census is not only unique but also vital to America’s senior population. Here are 5 reasons that the AARP says we should be paying attention to this year’s census:
(Information interpreted from “The Importance of the 2020 Census” from www.aarp.org)
The census impacts federal funding.
In 2016, the U.S. census provided data that led to over 300 programs receiving funding to the tune of $675 billion (yes, that’s a “B”) dollars. Not all of that went directly to seniors, but Medicare Part B funding was included in that number.
This will be a “high-tech” census, but it doesn’t HAVE to be!
Technology makes data collection easier for those collecting the information, but sometimes the people supplying the data aren’t comfortable with it. The idea of going to a website and updating info can be intimidating to seniors. But DON’T WORRY, if the Census Bureau doesn’t get your results within a few weeks, you will get a paper census in the mail, and you can fill that out and send it back in!
The “Citizenship Question” will not be included.
The Trump Administration was looking to have a citizenship question added to the census, but the Supreme Court found no justification for the change, so it will not be added to this year’s census.
If you miss out, you are silenced for 10 years.
That might sound harsh, but the truth is, if you don’t respond to the census now, it will be 10 years before you have the opportunity to be counted again. Your one absent result could mean that money that should be targeted for your state or region could go elsewhere.
The “boomers” are on the rise.
Numbers for people over the age of 65 have been on the rise. In this year’s census, they are projected to jump from 13 to 16% of the population, and by 2050, that number could hit 20%. That is a huge chunk of the population and that means big issues logistically and financially that need to be addressed based on accurate numbers.
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