Seniors are taken it in the rear and it is not a colonoscopy.
As most seniors are retired and living off income from their savings, they have been hit on both sides. They have been suffering with a return near zero in their money market accounts, and those lucky enough to have stock market holdings have seen their values greatly depreciated, causing many seniors to liquidate at low prices during the crash.
It is only those seniors that have bond holdings that are getting any kind of a positive cash flow, however they are at risk of losing principle once interest rates turn up. Many are of poor health and encounter rising medical costs and lower home values.
There has been no major discussion, either in the press or by the politicians to bring any relief to this the largest segment of our society. AARP, the largest of the groups of senior advocacy has been quiet and ineffective in bringing about any relief for it's constituency.
A liquid savings account paying higher than the 1/4% return in a money market account should have been established by the government. Of course you will ask where would the money come from. As part of the stimulus program the political will should have been strong.