By Lynn Kellogg
July 14 marks the 60th anniversary of the national Older Americans Act (OAA). Five national organizations championing the cause of the older population have come together to declare July 14 a Day of Action and awareness of the tremendous impact of the OAA.
The organizations: ADvancing States, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), National Council on Aging (NCOA), Meals on Wheels America, and USAging, the latter representing Area Agencies on Aging, issued the following joint statement: “For six decades, the Older Americans Act has connected older adults to vital services that help people age with health and dignity – in their own homes and communities, where they want to be. In 1965, the OAA was transformational for older adults, and today, it still stands as the only national framework comprehensively addressing the social services needs of older adults in the community. The act continues to be one of the most successful examples of public/private partnerships in action and leverages $3 for every $1 invested by the federal government.
“Thanks to the OAA, millions of older adults have access to in-home care, transportation, healthy aging activities in senior centers, nutritious meals, help connecting to other services, job training, and more. Older caregivers and caregivers of older adults are also served by the OAA with respite care, training, support and access to other resources.
“OAA programs and services are delivered through a nationwide network of state and local agencies and service providers that are deeply rooted in their communities, equipping them to meet the unique needs of local older adults and caregivers, particularly those most in need of assistance to age well and remain in their homes and communities. Community- based services are person-centered and more cost-effective than other forms of health or long-term care, including hospital stays and nursing homes. When older adults can safely and successfully age at home, families and taxpayers alike benefit.”
One in five Americans are projected to be 65 or older by 2030. The OAA structure reaches every geography and community in the country, including Native American populations.
Key to the act are Area Agencies on Aging, entities designated by the act to plan and develop businesses, services and products to provide the tools needed for maximum independence for life. The OAA vision fights ageism to recognize and defend the wealth of knowledge and experience that only increases with age.
The national reach of the OAA has made it perfect for other roles as well. One of many examples includes the thousands of volunteers trained through Medicare’s State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), administered locally by Region IV Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
Called the Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) in Michigan, volunteers answer questions and help Medicare recipients understand www.Medicare.gov so they can make the best choices for themselves. Each year AAA reports on how many millions of dollars are saved by local residents after talking to one of the many volunteer counselors in Southwest Michigan.
Other examples of efficiencies spawned by the OAA through AAAs include improvements in Medicare and Medicaid. AAAs play a key role administering the Medicaid Waiver for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), called MI Choice in Michigan.
This offers individuals needing Medicaid financed nursing home care an option to receive care at home instead of a nursing home which keeps family engaged in care and serves people where they want to be at a fraction of the cost of nursing home care. The savings and quality of life gains are enormous.
Medicare efficiencies through AAAs provide targeted Medicare health services to largely homebound elders who otherwise would not receive care, significantly avoiding costly hospital stays and emergency room visits.
The list goes on and on of impactful community- based services spawned by the Older Americans Act and tailored to communities across the country.
At the act’s 60th anniversary and especially in these turbulent times, it’s important to celebrate, educate and preserve what works.
This column is dedicated to the July 14 Call to Action to let elected officials know the value and importance of preserving and funding the OAA and its services.
Lynn Kellogg is former CEO of Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Questions on age or independence services? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810 or visit areaagencyonaging.org. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.