July 30, 2004

OAA Reauthorization Is Around the Corner!

August is an excellent time to meet with your legislators and raise their awareness and understanding of the OAA.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is up for reauthorization next year and it is essential that every member of Congress is familiar with the Act, the Aging Network structure, the services provided under the Act, and how many older adults and caregivers benefit from these services. Both the House and Senate have recessed for the summer and will return to Washington shortly after Labor Day. Members of Congress, especially those seeking re-election this year, have returned to their home districts and states for the next five weeks. The Summer Recess provides the perfect opportunity to familiarize your member of Congress with your Agency, the Act and the critical services and programs it provides to their older adult constituents. While your Members are home, use this opportunity to meet with them for the first time, renew your acquaintance or further strengthen a well-established relationship.

Members will be seeking maximum visibility and will most likely be very active while they are home. Take this opportunity to host site visits for them, set up a media event with them, speak together at public events and plan other activities that will help them recognize the importance of AAAs and Title VI organizations in the lives of millions of older Americans.

RECESS ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS

1. Arrange for face-to-face meetings with your Senators and Representatives. Again, use the meeting to either familiarize your legislators with your agency and the services it provides or to update them on any innovative programs and services you have developed to best serve the needs of the older adults and caregivers in your service area. Balance the meeting with information on how many older adults benefit from these services while also sharing information on any waiting lists you may have and the need to expand and better fund these programs/services to meet the needs of all constituents in your community or state. (Attached are some general Talking Points on the OAA that may be helpful during the meeting).

2. If you have planned any August events invite your Senators and Representatives (and their staff) to the event. Allow sufficient time for the Member(s) to meet with constituents individually and invite the local media to cover the event.

3. Find out what events your legislator will be attending in the district. Ask seniors to attend these events and speak out about the needs in your community. (For a recess schedule, call the district office or visit these websites: www.house.gov (representatives) and www.senate.gov (senators).

4. Publicly recognize officials who have advanced policies and legislation that benefits older adults. Schedule an event to recognize lawmakers who have taken specific and favorable action that benefited the older adults in your community or state. Invite local media to cover the event and use the opportunity to spotlight not only the work of the lawmaker but also to educate the public about the programs and services for older adults offered in their community. This will provide an excellent opportunity to establish or renew relationships with local Congressional staff as well as local media, and to bring public attention and awareness to your agency.

The activities above are suggested as means to initiate or strengthen your relationship with your federal legislators (and media) and to provide them with a strong background on how the existing OAA program works. This will help when we resume advocacy efforts in September to procure additional funding for OAA programs in the FY 05 budget as well as establish a solid foundation for anticipated reauthorization activities in 2005. Comprehensive knowledge of the existing OAA program and aging network system will facilitate legislators' understanding of how the recommended changes we will be advocating for would strengthen the program and the older adults it serves.

Upon recommendation from the n4a Board of Directors, n4a has developed a list of priorities for next year's reauthorization of the OAA that will be forwarded to you within the next month. The list is dynamic and your comments and recommendations will be welcomed and encouraged (SMcDermott@n4a.org).

THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN BRIEF

Programs and services provided under the Older Americans Act:

Support the President's New Freedom Initiative by Giving Older Adults the Opportunity to Live Independently and with Dignity at Home. The Older Americans Act (OAA) funds programs, such as home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, employment services, chore and personal care, and legal assistance, that help older adults remain in the much-preferred setting of their homes and communities.

Provide a Better Quality of Life for Millions of Older Adults Annually. OAA programs, such as nutrition services, are targeted to vulnerable and frail older adults at significant risk of poor nutritional status, other health problems, isolation and even premature institutionalization. OAA nutrition programs help prevent malnutrition, provide regular contact with others, and even allow seniors to remain in the community longer. According to the U.S. Administration on Aging the cost of a one-year supply of home-delivered meals is approximately the same cost as one day in a hospital.

Offer a Way for Older Adults and their Families to Get the Help they Need. For over 30 years, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American Aging Programs, funded through the Older Americans Act, have been the focal point in local communities where seniors and families receive vital information and make connections with available services. OAA services help families navigate a complex, and at times overwhelming, home and community-based services system.

Support Family Caregivers. Family members, friends, and neighbors provide the majority of long term care in this country, at an estimated value of $257 billion annually. The National Family Caregiver Support Program, established in 2000 as part of the OAA, provides essential support services such as information and referral assistance, counseling and training, and respite to millions of Americans who serve as the primary caregiver for an aging relative or friend.

Save the Government Money. For many older adults a few hours a week of in-home services provided under the OAA can delay or prevent expensive nursing home care. Nursing home care, which most often is paid for by Medicaid, places an increasingly heavy fiscal burden on state budgets. Nursing facilities cost $50,000 per year at a minimum, while home and community-based services can be provided for $8,000 to $12,000 per year.

Build on a Highly Successful and Cost-Effective Federal Program. Funding under the Older Americans Act also provides "seed" money which local area agencies on aging use to acquire additional non-federal funding including support from private sources. For every federal dollar allocated to the Older Americans Act, three dollars are raised from state and local government or from private sources to support home and community-based services.

Need to Keep Pace with Inflation and the Growing Number of Older Adults. Since 1980, funding for Older Americans Act services has remained level or received only minimal increases. At the same time, the number of older adults has grown at a higher rate than any other age group. As a result, services funded by these programs have lost considerable service capacity, causing many families to be placed on waiting lists for supportive services, adding to their emotional, physical and financial hardships.