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Budget cuts to programs for elderly is ill advised
To the Editor:
As a nursing student specializing in gerontology, I see firsthand the expenses of cutting funding to organizations supporting the elderly. Such budget cuts not only result in expense emergency room visits for preventable injuries, but also place tremendous strain on families caring for elderly members. The 2000 United States census reported 35 million Americans over the age of 65 with those over 85 increasing by 38%. Society needs to adjust and accomodate the needs of this growing population, not cut funding as Alameda County has quietly done. While such cuts may not make national news, individuals need to pay attention and rally in support of the local services
that enable communities to keep vulnerable populations out of harm's way and off the streets. More complete coverage of April 20-21,
2002's article on funding cuts for elderly programs would be appreciated. (It seems that Bruce Gerstman's article was cut off midsentence.)
Petrice P. Kam
UCSF Nursing Student
