ADvancing States is pleased to unveil a new set of Infographics that explore the funding and demand for, as well as the provision of, Older Americans Act (OAA) services, titled: Aging in America: We Can Do Better. Signed into law in 1965, the OAA is considered the primary vehicle for organizing, coordinating, and delivering community based services that help older adults maintain their dignity and independence.
Through programs such as home delivered and congregate meals, transportation services, caregiver assistance, employment opportunities, and elder abuse prevention, the OAA enables millions of older adults to stay healthy and in their homes and communities, where they prefer to be, for longer than they might otherwise be able.
In addition to responding to the needs and preferences of seniors, the OAA is also cost effective. By helping older adults to age in place, OAA programs can prevent or delay the need for more costly institutional care, which translates into taxpayer savings and generates efficiencies in our nation's health care system.
Despite these successes, funding for OAA services has not kept pace with population or inflation growth for decades, and current funding levels are inadequate to meet this increased need. With the senior population projected to grow exponentially in the coming years, so too will the demand on OAA programs. Absent a strong, immediate investment in the OAA, millions of older adults may lose the critical services they need to stay independent.
Together, we can do better to meet the needs of current and future seniors, their families, and their caregivers. Given the demographic changes and fiscal challenges at the local, state, and federal levels, now is the time to strengthen, protect, and prioritize the OAA. As Older Americans Month 2013 draws to a close, ADvancing States urges you to always remember what it means to be Aging in America today, and to never forget what it could mean tomorrow. We Can Do Better. We Should Do Better. We Must Do Better.
Click on the images below to download the full size infographic.
Click here to download a printable brochure.
Click here to download the PowerPoint presentation.
Click here to dowload a blank profile that can be populated with your state's information.
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