Goodbye, 2020

It has been a year like no other. This year will go down in our most recent history as a year never to forget. A deadly virus, devastating fires, smoke, triple-digit temperatures and a contentious election. And as the year winds down, we optimistically await a promised vaccine. During the past year, I wrote several opinion pieces about the COVID-19 virus and its overwhelming impact on our elderly population. The virus seemed to have the older adult population in its crosshairs. Older adults, particularly those confined to nursing facilities, died at an unprecedented rate. Although those isolated in nursing homes only made up a small percentage of the population, the death rate was somewhere near 40 percent. With the encouragement of Editor Carol Feineman, I wrote about the effect and consequences of the virus, including isolation, loneliness, scams and nursing home missteps. I also profiled the wonderful and dedicated people and programs who answered the bell and stepped into the breach to lessen and mitigate the impact of the virus. I also tried to add some interesting and lighter topics about active seniors, popular senior sports and a local memorial dedicated to the second generation of Japanese-American soldiers who gallantly fought in World War II. On a promising note, this year saw the implementation of the 2-1-1- telephone service designed to help older adults connect with social service providers for food, healthcare, housing and other needs. And we are awaiting the release of the governor's "Master Plan for Aging," which is supposed to be the blueprint for promoting healthy aging. Also, the Placer County Protect program recently launched a series dedicated to issues affecting the older adult population. The series is accessible on its website. During this upcoming year, I will continue to write about topics and issues involving older adults, their children and caretakers. I will look into what local, state and federal governments are doing to help the senior population; senior poverty and food insecurity; taxes impacting seniors; affordable housing and transportation; medical problems including the cost of hearing aids; nursing homes and the role of the ombudsman. Looking back, it has been a challenging year. As we bid farewell to 2020, I would like to thank the readers who took the time to send me thoughtful and positive emails and encouragement to keep writing stories. In closing, let's not forget to thank those healthcare workers and first responders who unselfishly kept working throughout this incredible year. Brian Parry is a Roseville resident, a Senior Commission member and is expressing his own opinions. Parry can be reached at 939bparry@gmail.com.