Dick Van Dyke shouldn’t be the exception — Helping America’s seniors stay engaged

The fact that Dick Van Dyke turned 100 on Dec. 13 is remarkable enough. But the entertainment icon hasn’t simply made it to the century mark; he’s remained purposefully engaged in life and with those around him: acting, dancing, mentoring younger performers, and spreading joy to millions. Van Dyke is a reminder that aging does not diminish our capacity to contribute. In fact, it often enhances it. Aging with purpose and the positive contribution of seniors in today’s economy, in fact, was the topic of a Dec.10 hearing before the U.S. Senate, in which I had the opportunity to testify. I emphasized how demographic realities and cultural ills mean that America needs its older generations more than ever—both in the workplace and in the broader fabric of society. And while policymakers can’t force more engagement from seniors, they can and should remove government-imposed barriers that make it harder for seniors to stay engaged. Today, one in four Americans is 55 or older, and that share is steadily rising alongside our nation’s declining fertility rate, rising life expectancies,