| Older Americans Month: A time to recognize older adults and their caregivers and support the services they depend
on
Calhoun County Committee On Aging, Inc. with sites in Grantsville and Minnora
Since its inception forty years ago, Older Americans Month has been a time for the entire nation to recognize the older adults
in their communities. This year Older Americans Month recognizes that, "What We Do Makes a Difference," in ensuring that
the needs of older Americans are met.
Today, the older population is much different than it was during the first Older Americans Month in 1963 when only 17
million Americans were age 65. One in six Americans, or 44 million people, is age 60 or older. This includes four million
Americans 85 or older who are at risk of losing their independence without critical support services that allow them to remain
in their homes and communities. It is projected that by the year 2030, the 85 plus population will be triple what it is today.
There will also be an influx of new retirees when the first members of the baby boom generation turn 65 in only seven
years.
The growth in the older population underscores not only the need for, but also the value of the support services for older
adults in the community. Many older adults benefit from a program that allows them to live independently, even if they are not
fully able to care for themselves. This program, the Older Americans Act (OAA), has been the foundation of services for
older adults since its enactment in 1965 and is at the core of our national system of home and community-based care. The
OAA is based on the principle that older adults are entitled to spend their retirement years in good health, independence, and
dignity. To put this ideal into action, the OAA created a network of nearly 900 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Native
American aging programs in communities across the country.
You may have seen a volunteer deliver a hot, nutritious meal to an older neighbor's door or a van take an older person to a
doctor's appointment, but have you ever wondered what makes these services available? In most cases, it starts with the
OAA.
With OAA funding and a variety of state and local resources, AAAs across the country provide or help older adults gain
access to an incredibly wide range of services, many designed to meet specific local needs. The comprehensive services
provided through AAAs and Native American aging programs include: information and referral; health insurance counseling;
client assessment and care management; employment services and volunteer opportunities; congregate and home-delivered
meals; senior centers and adult day care; homemaker, chore, home health and personal care services; telephone reassurance
and friendly visiting; energy assistance; senior housing; legal assistance; elder abuse prevention; and ombudsmen programs
that help resolve complaints involving long-term care facilities.
Currently, over 22 million U.S. households are serving in family caregiving roles for persons over age 50 and that number will
increase rapidly as the population ages and medical science continues to extend life. AAAs and Native American aging
programs also focus on the needs of these caregivers of older adults, whose loving and selfless acts help make it possible for
their older family members to remain in their own homes and community. The National Family Caregiver Support Program,
added to the OAA in 2000, provides grants to States to help communities assist family members who are struggling to care
for their loved ones.
As you can imagine, our growing aging population places an increased demand on local aging agencies, and these agencies
may lack sufficient resources to address everyone's needs. Many agencies report waiting lists for services like
home-delivered meals that grow longer each day. That is why, we are working hard to ensure that Congress provides
adequate funds for the OAA services. While the current budget climate in the states and Washington, D.C. makes asking for
additional funding difficult, increases in federal appropriations are crucial to assure the availability of OAA services.
Over the course of this month, I urge you to contact your congressional representatives to ask them to ensure that the older
adults in your community receive the support they deserve not only during Older Americans Month but whenever they need
it.
Call the CCCOA today with questions concerning our programs or more information: 354-7017/7822/7002, Fax:
354-6859, email: cccoa@wirefire.com.
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