Vermont is one of the oldest states in the nation. According to a recent brief, "nearly one in three Vermont residents are age 60 or older." And we're aging fast.

Many older Vermonters are enduring economic hardship, health challenges, hunger, and social isolation and loneliness. Those who live on a fixed income are often struggling to afford the rent, mortgage payments, energy bills, health insurance, and prescription drugs.

Our older Vermonters deserve to retire with dignity. Nikhil will always defend Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and support federal efforts to expand these programs.

My affordability agenda champions the needs of older Vermonters. For example, fixing the housing crisis will allow older Vermonters to downsize into affordable houses and apartments, freeing up housing for families.

Nikhil is also a strong supporter of intergenerational child and adult care centers and has served on the board of Generations Vermont, which is working to establish such a program in central Vermont.