This September, the Older Americans Act (OAA) is up for renewal in the U.S. Congress. This landmark legislation, signed into law in 1965 by President Johnson, maintains a framework and allocates funding to create and improve programs to serve older Americans at federal, state, and local levels of government. The OAA has continued to fund and provide services that seniors rely upon every day, including:
- Congregate and home-delivered meals
- Elder abuse prevention
- Home and community-based support services
- Adult day centers
- Health and wellness programming
- Caregiver support services
- Transportation resources
- Employment services
- Information and referral
In this politically divisive era, we cannot take chances with the OAA. Reauthorizing the OAA will ensure the stability of countless programs that provide a valuable safety net to seniors.
It is essential that congressional representatives hear from their constituents about the importance of this longstanding legislation. They need to hear stories – on how you or anyone you know have used an OAA-funded/mandated service, how your life or the lives of others have improved because of them, or how the people you serve depend on them if you work in an aging services organization. They also need to know that these effective services prevent recipients from experiencing more costly services such as hospital visits.
The OAA will expire on September 30th. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the reauthorization of the OAA.
Click here to find contact information for your Senators.
Click here to find contact information for your House Representative.