Daisaku Ikeda Quotes

Health care does not worry me a great deal. I've been impressed by some wonderful old people.

I am proud that we worked so hard to improve seniors' lives.

I do not believe that older Americans should be forced to live out their lives in poverty, their tiny savings destroyed by illness. Dependent upon their relatives. Feeling unwanted by their country.

It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.

Poverty is clearly one source of emotional suffering, but there are others, like loneliness. A policy to reduce the loneliness of the elderly would certainly reduce suffering.

I think about my grandfather who's 89 years old, and the last thing he needs is more money out of his pocket.

When the Australian Government looked at how to meet the challenges, and the opportunities, presented by our ageing population, it saw that an all-encompassing approach was a prerequisite.

Centenarians are still living near their children and feel loved and the expectation to love. Instead of being mere recipients of care, they are contributors to the lives of their families. They grow gardens to contribute vegetables, they continue to cook and clean.

The essence of government lies with unceasing concern for the welfare and dignity and decency and innate integrity of life for every individual.

The end to be achieved [by public welfare] is the quality of men and women.

We must preserve not only the bodies of the unemployed from destitution but also their self-respect, their self-reliance, and courage and determination.

I really don't believe in retiring as long as you can breathe.

I think we ought to provide much more dignity and respect to individuals who need some care and assistance, whether they are chronically ill or disabled or seniors, it's the right thing for this country to do.

In my opinion we don't take care of our disabled people well enough. We don't take care of our elderly well enough. We should honor them more than we do.

No greater tragedy exists in modern civilization than the aged, worn-out worker who after a life of ceaseless effort and useful productivity must look forward for his declining years to a poorhouse. A modern social consciousness demands a more humane and efficient arrangement.

A medical revolution has extended the life of our elder citizens without providing the dignity and security those later years deserve.

For 60 years, Social Security has meant more than an ID number on a tax form; more than a monthly check in the mail. It reflects our deepest values - our respect for our parents and our belief that all Americans deserve to retire with dignity.

There is a sort of indifference to the problem of old age. Indifference in the face of a revolution in longevity.

Any civilization which respects itself admits to its basic responsibility of providing for its members in need. But few civilizations have achieved greatness by treating all their members as needy.

Only a well fed, well housed, well schooled people can enjoy the blessings of liberty.

Poor young children and the elderly must be fed at public expense.

In advanced age, and in cases of disability from accident, natural infirmity or any other cause, the individual shall be supported by the colony, and receive every comfort which kindness can administer

I believe in a safety net. I believe one of the responsibilities of the Federal Government is a safety net.

After a lifetime of contributions to their families, their communities and our world, older Americans deserve to live free from harm and abuse.

Dementia is such a terrifying thing for all of us, and we are particularly bad at coping with old people in this country.