Earlier today, Alison Barkoff testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee about the Older Americans Act, the critical importance of its programs and the aging services network that implements its programs, and ACL’s work to strengthen and support both. The OAA was last reauthorized in 2020 and will expire on September 30, 2024.
In her testimony, Barkoff stated that “OAA programs help older adults age in place, as the vast majority want to do.” She continued, “For nearly 60 years, the structure of the OAA has driven its success. It sets broad policy but gives our network the flexibility to meet local needs.”
The OAA authorizes a wide range of programs and services, most of which focus on helping older adults age in place. The services include home-delivered and congregate meals, support for family caregivers, preventive health services, personal and home care services, transportation, legal assistance, elder abuse prevention, and much more.
In February, ACL issued the first substantial update since 1988 to most OAA program regulations. The rule aims to better support the national aging network that delivers OAA services and to improve program implementation, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that the nation's growing population of older adults can live and thrive in their own homes and communities. Developed with extensive input from stakeholders, the rule reflects best practices from the field and provides the updated, modern framework needed to strengthen the network and sustain the OAA’s success. Today’s hearing also included testimony from leaders in the aging network and a recipient of OAA services. You can watch a recording of the hearing, and read their written statements at the Senate Hearings page. Alison Barkoff’s written testimony also can be found on ACL.gov.