Government-sponsored services for senior adults continue to benefit millions of older Americans, many of whom have limited income and resources. And with the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, which was signed into law this fall by President George W. Bush, the existing services have been reauthorized and strengthened under the Older Americans Act.
This act is the chief federal law governing the organization and delivery of many vital services for older Americans.
Passage of the bill represents much of what the White House Conference on Aging — held every 10 years — is about and makes many positive enhancements to current law.
Reauthorization continues federal support for all of the act’s basic programs, such as home-delivered meals, congregate meals, family caregiver support, grants to senior centers, elder rights protection and senior community service employment.
The bill also contains several legislative priorities for the National Council on Aging, including provisions that do the following:
– improve access to benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources through the creation of a National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach and Enrollment,
– strengthen the availability and integration of home and community services,
– promote evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs and
– provide broader opportunities for civic engagement, enabling seniors to make important contributions to their communities. (National Council on Aging)
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