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Did you know that one in five Americans will be 65 or older by 2030? As our population ages rapidly, it’s crucial that we support our older adults with the essential services they need to thrive. That’s where the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) comes in.
For over 50 years, the OAA has been a lifeline for countless older adults and their caregivers in Central Indiana. This vital legislation funds essential programs like meals, transportation, caregiver support and more. But now, the OAA is up for reauthorization in Congress, and your voice is needed to ensure these critical senior services continue.
What is the Older Americans Act?
The OAA is a law that President Lyndon Johnson signed in 1965. It accomplished two things: 1) It created the foundation for the federal, state and local organizational infrastructure to develop, plan and deliver home and community-based services and supports to older adults and their caregivers. 2) It allocated money to cover the costs of those services being delivered to the aging population.
Since 1965, the OAA has connected older adults and their caregivers to services that help seniors age with dignity and independence in their homes and communities. These services are almost always less expensive than institutional care.
Services available through the OAA include:
- Supportive services
- Health & wellness
- Nutrition
- Caregivers
- Elder rights
How does the OAA benefit our local community?
The OAA funds a network of organizations, including Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), enabling the local delivery of services and supports to help older adults age where they want and remain active members of the communities they love. These are some of the stories of people right here in Central Indiana who rely on the services the OAA provides.
- Caregiver support: When Pauline became a caregiver to her spouse, CICOA’s caregiver support helped her take care of herself.
- Home-delivered meals: Even when she’s not feeling 100 percent, Rosemary no longer misses dinner because she doesn’t have the energy to cook.
- Health & wellness: Jan lost seven pounds and gained energy after taking a Bingocize® class.
- Home modifications: After a stroke, Bonnie worried about leaving her home, but home modifications kept her safe in the home she loved.
- Transportation: Janillia had reliable and affordable rides to her chemotherapy appointments, improving her quality of life.
- Community assistance: Ron was on the cusp of homelessness, but a call to CICOA’s Aging & Disability Resource Center got him into a new home.
How can you help?
The Older Americans Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 4776) has cleared a major hurdle in the Senate, but we’re not finished yet! This crucial legislation needs your support to pass the Senate and House and become law. Senator Braun’s leadership in securing vital provisions for AAAs is a significant step forward, but we need to keep the momentum going.
Imagine a world without these essential services. Our seniors, who have built our communities, would be left struggling with isolation, hunger and limited access to healthcare. We can’t let that happen.
August is your time to act. Congress is in recess, which means our elected officials are back in their home districts and eager to hear from you. Your voice matters!
At CICOA, we are advocating for these programs alongside USAging, our national champion in Washington, DC. However, we need YOU to help make our voices stronger! Please join us in urging our lawmakers to prioritize the needs of older adults.
How to Take Action:
Contact Senators Braun and Young and your Representative (Carson, Spartz, Pence or Baird) now to share your OAA story. You can use some of the sample language below in your outreach, but make sure to add details about the effect these programs have had on you and others in our community. Find contact information for Indiana Senators and Representatives here.
- Write to your elected officials. Share your personal story about how OAA programs have impacted you or someone you know. You can use some of the sample language below to craft your messages.
- Leverage social media. Share your support for OAA with short stories or pictures, and tag your elected officials. Remember to keep your messages positive and respectful.
- Make a phone call. A personal conversation can be powerful. Contact your representatives’ offices to express your support for the OAA.Use the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) to reach DC offices or look up the district office phone numbers on their websites.
Sample Letter:
[IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A CONSTITUENT AND SHARE ANY RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE SHARING. For example, “I live in the town of Fairmont with my husband who is living with Alzheimer’s. I am his primary caregiver, but he also receives in-home services from the Older Americans Act which allows us to be able to stay in our home of 45 years.”]
I am reaching out today to share with you how important the federal Older Americans Act is to me and to encourage you and your colleagues in Congress to work toward a bipartisan reauthorization of the Act before it expires in September.
Older Americans Act programs are critical to me and other Hoosiers, and with growing numbers of older adults and more Americans living longer, we should be investing in these programs now!
Please ensure that any OAA reauthorization bill adequately funds these vital aging programs, protects the local flexibility our community already has in delivering them, and makes needed investments in innovation to respond to the rapidly growing population of older adults and their caregivers. Thank you.
Sample social media message:
Please preserve programs that help older adults maintain their health, wellbeing and independence by reauthorizing the Older Americans Act programs and services, meals, transportation, caregiver support, health and wellness programs and other essential services.
I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of the OAA. It’s more than just a program; it’s a promise to our seniors that we will be there for them. Your voice is essential. Thank you for your commitment to our seniors.
Tauhric Brown
Tauhric Brown served as CICOA’s President and CEO from 2020-2024. His experience in the elderly and disability service industry helped to expand CICOA services and collaborative partnerships during his tenure. Before joining CICOA, Brown served as the chief operating officer for Senior Services, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Mich. His career started in the U.S. Army, and then he became a successful owner/operator for a multi-carrier wireless retail company. Inspired by his family and upbringing, he made the switch to the nonprofit world to fulfill his dream of improving the lives of others.
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