Question 

My 92-year-old father is increasingly upset about everything that is going on in Washington. He has never been more engaged and more concerned. He is a moderate and has never been very political. Right now, he is quite concerned that his Social Security and Medicare will be altered or eliminated. Some days he goes on about a possible world war.  

It used to be that he only mentioned his fear when we visited. Now to our surprise he calls us about his concerns. At any time, day or even late evening, we might get a call from him reporting the latest news. It has become a bit of an obsession with him. I think it is keeping him up at night.  

We children are all very busy with our jobs and children and we do not follow the news hourly or nearly as closely as he is doing at this time.  

I am wondering what we can do to settle him a bit if that is even possible?  

Answer  

At 92, he definitely has the time to follow the events in Washington, and with round-the-clock news available to anyone who wants to watch or read, the opportunity is available. I must admit, there have been daily and sometimes hourly surprises since the inauguration. I doubt that anyone would disagree with that.  

I would venture that a good portion of Americans are a bit anxious about the changes that are being implemented or have been proposed in the last two months. If you are a federal worker, farmer, retiree, on Medicaid, working under a grant, in the auto industry, and on and on, you could be impacted. The operative word here is “could.” 

I do not know of anyone that thinks America should continue to take on more debt. We all want our government to be efficient, strong, and live within its means just like a family does. What likely got your father so upset is the approach he is seeing.  

Since he has time to follow the news and keep as informed as possible, the next thing he should do is use the time and talent he has to speak his thoughts to those that govern. He clearly has a voice, and he should let his elected officials know what he thinks. He needs to communicate what he likes and what he does not. He may think that no one will listen to him. That is simply not true. A long time very seasoned Washington regular repeatedly told me that “noise and money” rule Washington, and I believe that to be true.  

Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are very large federal entitlement programs responsible for huge portions of the federal budget. Of course, they will be looked at and considered. Will they be drastically altered for a 92-year-old? It is not likely, but your father should voice his thoughts now.  

I recommend that he write, call, email, or visit his representatives. The easiest way to do that is via their websites. He should let them know his desires and his solutions. If he does not know how to do this, take your laptop to his house and help him. He can also call his representatives. He may be on hold for a very long time, if he gets through, but he has the time.  

Maybe he should connect with AARP to find out how he can become active with that association.  

Yes, these activities only heighten his involvement, but they channel his frustration into action and help him feel more empowered.  

My final recommendation is that he take a day off here and there from the news to hang out with the family, walk in the neighborhood, or do something other than watch the news. Even watching a movie that he can get lost in for a few hours and at a minimum the last hour before bed. The brain needs rest and time to process, so that it is fresh for the next day.