Reauthorize the Older Americans Act Advocacy

Seniors Independence Shouldn t Be a Political Game

Seniors independence and dignity depend on it

For the past four years, Congress has failed to renew commonsense legislation that helps seniors live with dignity and independence. That’s why AARP is calling on the Senate to end the gridlock and pass the Older Americans Act.

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Every senior deserves to live with dignity and independence.

Helping Seniors Live Independently

Since it was enacted into law in 1965, millions of our most vulnerable seniors have relied on the OAA for their health and economic security. The act helps seniors live independently by: , including Meals-on-Wheels Providing home and community-based services, including preventive health services and Assisting with information and referral, counseling and respite care Preventing and detecting Providing an important safety net for people who are at risk of entering nursing homes, a costly option at over $91,000 per year for a private room. More than 85 percent of recipients of OAA-funded homemaker services, case management, transportation and home-delivered meals say that this assistance helped them to remain in their home, where the majority of Americans want to live as they age. OAA’s assistance makes common sense for taxpayers, too: It helps save precious federal and state tax dollars by keeping seniors out of nursing homes and preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions. Click to view the full infographic

Simple Bipartisan Solution

The OAA’s current authorization expired in fiscal year 2011, but Congress has been unable to reach an agreement on its reauthorization. AARP is fighting for a bipartisan, simple reauthorization that will protect core programs and achieve greater effectiveness for funds already dedicated to the act’s core programs. AARP urges the House and Senate to expedite passage of a simple OAA reauthorization that maintains existing programs without jeopardizing underfunded OAA services for the nation’s seniors.

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