Reauthorize the older americans act

For the past four years, Congress has failed to renew commonsense legislation that helps seniors live with dignity and independence. That’s why AARP is calling on the Senate to end the

gridlock and pass the Older Americans Act. TAKE ACTION Every senior deserves to live with dignity and independence. Urge Congress to renew the Older Americans Act today! HELPING SENIORS LIVE

INDEPENDENTLY Since it was enacted into law in 1965, millions of our most vulnerable seniors have relied on the OAA for their health and economic security. The act helps seniors live

independently by: * Supporting nutrition programs, including Meals-on-Wheels * Providing home and community-based services, including preventive health services and transportation assistance

* Assisting family caregivers with information and referral, counseling and respite care * Preventing and detecting elder abuse * Providing an important safety net for people who are at

risk of entering nursing homes, a costly option at over $91,000 per year for a private room. More than 85 percent of recipients of OAA-funded homemaker services, case management,

transportation and home-delivered meals say that this assistance helped them to remain in their home, where the majority of Americans want to live as they age. OAA’s assistance makes common

sense for taxpayers, too: It helps save precious federal and state tax dollars by keeping seniors out of nursing homes and preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions. MEMBER DISCOUNTS!

DISCOVER GREAT DEALS AND SAVING THROUGH AARP MEMBERSHIP Click to view the full infographic SIMPLE, BIPARTISAN SOLUTION The OAA’s current authorization expired in fiscal year 2011, but

Congress has been unable to reach an agreement on its reauthorization.  AARP is fighting for a bipartisan, simple reauthorization that will protect core programs and achieve greater

effectiveness for funds already dedicated to the act’s core programs. AARP urges the House and Senate to expedite passage of a simple OAA reauthorization that maintains existing programs

without jeopardizing underfunded OAA services for the nation’s seniors. ALSO OF INTEREST * WHERE AARP STANDS: PROTECTING SENIORS' ACCESS TO THEIR DOCTORS * 10 CITIES WHERE YOU CAN

RETIRE FOR LESS * FIND GREAT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR COMMUNITY SEE THE AARP HOME PAGE FOR DEALS, SAVINGS TIPS, TRIVIA AND MORE