As we bid farewell to the year now past and usher in the new with the singing of Auld Lang Syne, let us not forget those who’ve seen the passing of many years.

Such “old acquaintances” remain with us longer and in greater numbers. America’s 40.3 million citizens aged 65 and older comprise 13 percent of the population — 12 times as much as in 1900, when seniors made up only 4.1 percent. The proportion of seniors is expected to grow even more, reaching 20.9 percent by 2050, when an astonishing 19 million of the elderly in 2050 will be aged 85 or older.

But sheer statistics won’t ensure vibrant places for seniors in society. Our oldest neighbors too often live on the sidelines, either in institutions or by themselves. Over 5 percent of the aged reside in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other commercial settings. More than a quarter of the rest — and nearly half of those over 75 — live alone.

Read the article “The Pro-Life Call to Remember our ‘Old Acquaintance’” on christianitytoday.com.