OLDER AMERICANS ACT REAUTHORIZATION

WHEREAS, by 2030, 1 in 4 Americans, including the baby boom generation, will be over the age of 65; and

WHEREAS, one in six seniors live in poverty; and

WHEREAS, the Older Americans Act is the major vehicle for the delivery of essential social and nutrition services for millions of older Americans; and

WHEREAS, all older Americans want to have the necessary long term services and supports to age in their homes and communities and avoid institutional care; and

WHEREAS, the number of elder abuse and neglect cases is increasing; and

WHEREAS, maintaining physical and mental health and economic security allows older Americans to stay active and have a high a quality of life for as long as possible; and

WHEREAS, Mayors and their agencies serving older Americans have utilized these funds to implement innovative programs in the areas of nutrition, supportive services, health promotion and disease prevention programs and caregiver services, tailoring national funds to meet local priorities; and

WHEREAS, federal funding to support older adults and their caregivers has not kept pace with inflation; and

WHEREAS, funding for the Older Americans Act hasn't been increased in over a decade; and

WHEREAS, states are cutting budgets for Medicaid programs, further putting seniors at potential risk; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages Congress to support and strengthen the Older Americans Act to enhance the ability of the aging network to meet the needs of the increasing older adult population; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports efforts to give older Americans a level of support and security; including but not limited to nutrition programs, legal and protective services, respite care, caregiver services, information and referral, healthy aging programs and research to determine the real needs of the elderly in their community and the adequacy of existing services and gaps in delivery; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports efforts to rebalance the delivery of long term care by supporting and strengthening community options for long term supports and services, and the aging network’s role in the delivery of these services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on Congress fully fund the programs authorized, to meet the increased need; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls upon Congress and the Administration to reauthorize the Older Americans Act.