House Approves More Funding For Older Americans Act

The House of Representatives unanimously approved more funding for the Older Americans Act. This law annually helps millions of senior citizens stay in their homes and receive services such as Meals on Wheels, family caregiver support, and free transportation to medical appointments.

House: What The Law Does For Seniors

The existing law called The Dignity in Aging Act of 2019 extends the Older Americans Act (OAA) for five more years. It also increases funding by 7 percent in 2020 and by 6 percent in each year from 2021-2024. It now goes to the Senate where easy and quick passage is expected.

This law to help seniors was first passed back in 1965 — the same year that Congress passed the Medicare, Medicaid, and Civil Rights Act into law.

The law provides money to each state based on its share of the nation’s older adults and helps about 11 million people over the age of 60 each year.

This law allows senior citizens the ability and option to stay in their homes and to live independently. It gives them the support and dignity to remain independent.

For example, Meals On Wheels are sent to senior centers, schools and churches — places where seniors congregate during the day to socialize and do activities. Meals are also sent to their homes.

Caregiver assistance is also provided for those seniors who want to re-enter the job market. This new measure increases the emphasis on services that help older Americans deal with social isolation. It also extends and funds the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, which supports family care giving.

More funding is also provided to the the National Family Caregiver Support Program. This gives family caregivers vital respite care along with education, training and other support.

The bill fulfills a moral obligation to give back to our loved ones. Essentially, to take care of those that took care of us. In addition, the law gives each State flexibility to spend the funds as necessary to help their senior communities.