Listen to elders

By Ivan Arceneaux Correspondent Published September 19, 2005 Today, I challenge all Galveston County residents, young and old, to restore Older Texans to the respected place in America’s social structure that senior citizens deserve. In many other cultures, those living longer than others are held in higher esteem for their age and wisdom. As “the elders,” they are honored at the table of the counselors of the community. Their counsel is so well sought after that history reveres it as the “wisdom of the ages.” Regretfully, modern American culture sometimes treats mature adults as senile old fogies afflicted with “senior moments” and susceptible to “old timers” disease. Or worse, as greedy geezers. Elders are treated worse than children — to be neither seen nor heard. As a proud part of the Greatest Generation, I strongly and sincerely urge restoring our rightful place in today’s society. For example, when FEMA decided that a cruise ship could provide the best shelter for elderly evacuees, the seniors nixed the idea. A society respectful of its elders would counsel and consult beforehand with those affected by such decisions. I call for every city and elected political entity to appoint immediately an advisory committee of older citizens whose objective is to bring the advice and wisdom of the ages to bear on all matters that affect senior citizens. For example, the city of Galveston’s Mayor’s Committee on Elderly and Handicapped must be reactivated immediately. It died within the past year from lack of interest caused by a failure to listen to its advice. When advice is not heard, it stops being offered. Every other city must create a similar committee to advise its city council. The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature already has a model for county governments. TSHL Resolution 43 calls for allowing the Galveston County Commissioners Court to establish a County Senior Citizens Adviser’s Office. The TSHL envisions this adviser as being a combination of the role of the local congressman’s office facilitating seniors through the maze of important business at the county courthouse and that of an ombudsman. Personally, I envision a more active advocacy role similar to the city’s advisory committee such as an ad hoc committee that currently serves the County’s Park and Senior Services Department. This challenge must open up the discussion for seniors throughout the county to dialog with their elected officials for a more active participation in city and county affairs. Furthermore, TSHL Resolution 23 proposed a review and comment on the EMS plans, procedures and emergency shelter provisions for the elderly and disabled to be performed by a senior citizens approved organization. The purpose is to ensure the health and welfare of these vulnerable populations in the event of any and all natural and manmade disasters. Although Resolution 23 failed to pass in the biennial session of the Texas Legislature, hurricane safety must be addressed immediately to protect the life and wellbeing of older and all Texans. Ivan Arceneaux is a Galveston County senior citizen activist and writes a weekly column. He can be reached at ivancat(at)sbcglobal.net.