(Washington, DC) –Argentum, the voice of America’s senior living communities, issued the following statement on the introduction of S. 2120 to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA):
“The Older Americans Act is foundational to supporting the needs of millions of seniors, and as our nation rapidly ages, it is critical that this act be renewed and modernized,” said Maggie Elehwany, Argentum Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. “We are particularly grateful that the reauthorization of the act includes critical elements to address social isolation and loneliness, including language from the SENIOR Act and the Care Across Generations Act.”
Argentum has urged lawmakers to advance a reauthorization of the OAA, and last year hosted a Congressional briefing in partnership with the House 21st Century Long-Term Care Caucus on the need to reauthorize the OAA. Argentum has specifically advocated for inclusion of the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR) Act (S. 473) and the Care Across Generations Act (H.R. 1812), two pieces of legislation to address isolation and promote socialization for seniors.
First enacted in 1965 and last reauthorized in 2020, the OAA serves more than 10 million Americans each year through supportive services, congregate nutrition services, home-delivered nutrition services, family caregiver support, the long-term care ombudsman program, and services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons. The newly introduced reauthorization would extend OAA programs through fiscal year 2030.
Argentum commends Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders, Aging Chair Rick Scott and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand, Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, and Senators Tim Kaine, Markwayne Mullin, Ed Markey, Lisa Murkowski, and Ben Ray Lujan for their leadership in advancing this legislation.
About Argentum
Argentum is the leading national association exclusively dedicated to supporting companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the older adults and families they serve. Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults.
Argentum member companies operate senior living communities offering assisted living, independent living, continuing care, and memory care services. Along with its state partners, Argentum’s membership represents approximately 75 percent of the professionally managed communities in the senior living industry—an industry with a national economic impact of nearly $250 billion dollars and more than 1.6 million jobs.
Contact:
Dan Samson
Director of Government Relations
ARGENTUM | Expanding Senior Living
20 F Street, NW 7th Floor | Washington, DC 20001
D: 703.562.1176 | C: 202.848.2610
[email protected] | www.argentum.org
