What value will the upcoming federal census have on seniors? According to the Web site www.civilrights.org census data on age help policy makers target approximately $200 billion in federal funds and services to senior citizens. For examples both state and county agencies will use the data collected this year to forecast the number of people eligible for Social Security and Medicare.

Planners will also use the data not only to determine the number and location of hospitals, health service centers and retirement homes, but to ensure that comparable public transportation services are available in the future.

Here are some other ways this data will help

The Nutrition Education Program uses the data to help elderly persons obtain nutritionally sound meals through senior citizen distribution centers or via meals-on-wheels programs.

Funds are distributed through programs developed for people with disabilities and the elderly under the Rehabilitation Act.

Equal employment opportunity is enforced under the Age Discrimination and Employment Act.

Federal agencies use the collected information to award federal grants under the Older Americans Act based on the number of elderly people with physical and mental disabilities.

Under the Very Low-Income Housing Repair Loans and Grants program, the information enables older people who cannot afford to repay a loan to remove health and safety hazards in their homes.

The Senior Community Service Employment program, funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act, helps economically disadvantaged individuals aged fifty-five and older with poor employment prospects gain financial independence through employment training, referrals, and counseling.

The Prevention of Elderly Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation program coordinates state and local adult protective efforts with other state and local service programs that focus on elderly abuse prevention and intervention.

The Long Term-Care Ombudsman Services for Older Americans program allows state and local long term care ombudsmen to speak and act on behalf of the residents of nursing homes by investigating nursing facility complaints and providing community support to those who often cannot speak or act on their own behalf;

The Indian Program Grants to Indian Tribes and Grants to Native Hawaiians help provide meals, health care, and transportation to elderly Native Americans and Native Hawaiians who are disproportionately poorer than the older population in general.

The Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, supports the creation of housing facilities specifically for older persons.