While child poverty in 2010 declines from 16.8 million in the official measure to 13.6 million in the SPM, poverty rates among working age adults and the elderly increase by almost 6 million people.
But what about the elderly and the problem of age-related decline?
The prime minister defended benefits for the elderly and disabled but said the system of working-age benefits had gone "truly awry" and created a "welfare gap between those living long-term in the welfare system and those outside it".
An idea often floated in Congress to reduce spending on Medicare by raising the eligibility age for the federal health insurance program for the elderly from 65 to 70 years old would jack up costs per person for those seniors left in the program by 12 percent, if implemented.
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An investigation into the death of an elderly woman has revealed gaps in the understanding of domestic abuse in old age, experts warn.
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For the past few years, a significant number of ophthalmologists have used the Avastin cancer medication to treat age-related macular generation, a common afflication among the elderly, even though the drug was never approved for this use.
For example, the Senate's proposal to raise the age of eligibility and its version of means-testing for the elderly were in neither the House bill nor the recent budget agreement between Congress and the president.
Like social security, is it not simple common sense to adjust the age of eligibility for programs for the elderly accordingly?
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Lawyer Lesley Mynett, of Fentons Solicitors, said Mr Ball's case "paves the way for further elderly sufferers to receive settlements which reflect the pain and distress the disease causes, regardless of their age".
This alerts organisations, including Age UK, to the health risks to elderly and ill people.
Since age-related macular degeneration primarily affects the elderly covered by Medicare, the government has a financial stake in the decision over which drug to use.
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The study looked at 132 elderly patients, with an average age of 81, who were all receiving routine medical visits in their homes after being discharged from hospital.
Pam Tilson, the Political Affairs Officer for Age Concern in Northern Ireland, said elderly people especially became concerned for their pets.
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An elderly Beowulf puts on his armor for one last hurrah, invoking the age-old duty of all chief executives, male and female: Be a mensch .
"We're an age-integrated community built around the central mission of care of the elderly, " Bosch said.
On its face the story is a sad one considering how this elderly man faces retirement uncertainty at an age when finding new work is unrealistic.
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But it is possible, at least, that this decline of lifespans in certain areas, and increasing gap in age at death, is explained purely and solely by migration of the elderly.
For instance, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program offers free tax preparation to anybody with basic tax returns, with priority for those age 60 and older, says IRS spokesman Eric Smith.
Age UK looked at Department of Health figures - which only cover England - for the number of elderly people using day care provided or arranged by their local council over the past three financial years.
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