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Older Americans Act Reauthorization

Why We Need You Recommendations for Changes to the Older Americans Act  
What is the Older Americans Act? Take Action  
Reauthorization Now That You Know  
Get the Basics: How a bill becomes a law Staying Updated  

 

Why We Need You

As the number of older adults rapidly increases, there is a serious/urgent need to ensure that funding is appropriated in order to continue and expand these services and support.  We need your help to make sure these needs are are met under the Act's reauthorization.  So, Get Into The Act and take action now!

What is the Older Americans Act?

This year Congress will reauthorize the Older Americans Act. The OAA is the federal legislation that provides funding for services like Home Delivered Meals, Congregate Meals, Adult Day Care, Transportation, In Home Aid, and many others which are the primary support systems for older adults who want to live independently. This critical legislation also established senior centers, aging programs, and many of the programs that support older adults around the country.

Click here for a summary of the Older Americans Act.

For a list of recommended websites on OAA topics, click here.

Reauthorization

Every five years advocates begin Advocacy plans as Congress prepares to reauthorize the OAA. This is a long, complicated and confusing process. There are considerations of new ideas, money, timing, process and political negotiations.  Senators and Representatives will be working to get issues they believe to be important for their constituents included in the legislation.  Therefore, it is important to become as familiar as possible with the process and learn how to effectively create change. We need your voice to help us tell Congress your thoughts and desires about the future of this legislation.

Get the Basics: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Being an effective advocate on legislative issues also means understanding how Congress works.  Click on the link below to get the basics.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Recommendations for Changes to the Older Americans Act

Many of our partners across the country are beginning to develop lists of recommendations they wish to see added to the Older Americans Act.  Click below to see  more details of the top priorities to be addressed

  • Authorization Levels

  • The first issue is to raise the authorization levels in the Act.  Getting funding is a two part process—the Act determines the amount that can be requested and the appropriation process is when Congress actually determines how much money will be put in the budget for the current year.  So this recommendation refers to raising the authorization levels so that Congress can appropriate more money.

  • Long- Term Services and Supports

  • The second issue is to Strengthen Project 2020.  Project 2020 is a three-prong project that together is designed to make access to services easier, help older adults stay in the homes with support and reduce the number of readmissions to hospitals and long-term care facilities.  The three key components are the Aging and Disability Resource Connection or for North Carolina  they are called Community Resource Connections.  The second part is to enhance evidence- based health promotion programs and incorporate then into the current Title III-D of the Act which is Health Promotion Disease Prevention.  The last component is the Community Living which is designed to significantly increase funding for support services within the community.

  • Senior Mobility Options

  • The third issue is around Transportation which is a high priority for North Carolina.  This recommendation is to enhance the language in the Older Americans Act to give the Aging Network a stronger role and partnership with the Department of Transportation.  The  recommendation acknowledges that transportation is more than just vehicular transit, but should  include things like enhanced walking opportunities, bicycles, and rail.  Because Transportation  is such a huge issue, we need to be constantly looking for innovative ideas so the recommendation includes dedicated funding for technical assistance in identifying and implementing model programming. 

  • Promoting Livable Communities for All Ages

  • Livable Communities involves integration of housing, transportation, service access, and land use. The recommendation is that the Aging Network have full-time planners to assist communities in planning for redevelopment of their community infrastructure to make it more senior-friendly.

  • Affordable Housing & Services

  • This recommendation is to add a whole new section of the Act to develop more varieties of  congregate housing.

  • Title V & Older Workers

  • This recommendation is to expand Title V of the Older Americans Act which is the Senior Community Service Employment Program, This initiative is to retrain and assist older adults who want to get back in the workforce.

  • Elder Rights Protection

  • We have seen a rise in the need for Legal Services and guardianship as well as Adult Protective Services. This recommendation addresses expansion of services to protect older adults.

  • Medicare Assistance and Counseling

  • Since Part D of Medicare (The Prescription Drug Benefit), the Aging Network has been inundated with older adults and Baby Boomers needing assistance to maneuver the system and make choices. This recommendation is to acknowledge that key role and provide a dedicated funding source for Aging Network. 

  • Emergency Preparedness

  • Disasters and emergency situations are especially difficult for our vulnerable adult population. Up until now, the Aging Network has not had a defined role.  However, in many communities across the country, the Network is asked to step forward both before, during and after emergencies.  This recommendation is to provide a more intentional role and financial assistance to help the Network fulfill this role.                 

  • Building the Capacity of National Aging Network

  • The last recommendation provides language around building the capacity of the Network. Building capacity means providing more training as we see many professionals retire. Building capacity also means integrating technology to help the Network be more efficient and effective. And lastly, building capacity means adding professionals to the Network.  In a time when we are seeing the number of older adults double and triple, many of our agencies have basically the same size staff as we had twenty years ago. 

For more information on topics above, click here.

Take Action: Become an Advocate

Anyone: Older Adults, Providers, or any Interested Community Advocates. Begin by filling out the registration form and someone from an Area Agency on Aging will contact you as well as add you to our email distribution list. You will receive ACT updates and alerts, links to our Facebook page, Twitter account, our BLOG and other resources to help you stay informed on the latest news and events regarding the Reauthorization process. ACT ALERTs will be released at times when immediate Action from Advocates is needed. These will be sent by email. If you do not have email, you will be contacted by your county by phone.

Now that you Know- Have a Voice and Be Heard

One of the most effective ways to make your concerns known is to contact your local    legislator directly.  Prepare ahead of time and outline the main points you want to discuss.

Advocacy & Legislative Websites