Prioritize Dallas seniors | Opinion
Social isolation has always been a problem for senior citizens but the pandemic increased this issue exponentially. The resulting mental health issues associated with loneliness and isolation can be overwhelming.
The well-being of senior citizens has never seemed a significant priority for Dallas. The city has never invested in dedicated senior centers to counter the social isolation that is so common among the elderly. The senior population is barely mentioned in the city’s published priorities, goals and performance measures.
This is not a zero-sum comparison. We can prioritize both groups. Yet, sadly, the fastest growing and most vulnerable segment of our population seems almost invisible because state and local government officials have failed to prioritize the basic needs of our seniors. The city manager, mayor and City Council members are currently planning the city budget for the upcoming fiscal year. During this process, they should carefully reassess — seriously study with a real-world lens — how the city serves its senior population. A senior member of the city’s leadership team should be named to monitor all special services and programs for seniors across numerous city departments.
J. Peter Kline is a private investor in Dallas and serves as the chairman of the Dallas Senior Affairs Commission. He wrote this column for the Dallas Morning News.
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