2024 SE4A Legislative Priorities

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1. Increase Appropriations - We encourage Congress to double OAA Title III B over FY 2023 levels in FY 2024, for a funding level of $820 million to invest in services, build capacity, and provide benefits for our community's older adults and their families.
    

2. Support Caregivers – We encourage Congress to double over FY 2023 its appropriations for the National Family Caregiver Support Program to reach $410 million for the only national program that assists family and informal caregivers of older adults to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible.
   
   According to the American Council on Aging, the average annual cost of nursing home care in 2022 was estimated to be $94,900 for a semi-private room. In contrast, the median cost of in-home care services was about $24 per hour in 2020. Estimating about 44 hours of care per week per senior, people spent about $4,500 on in-home care (Genworth Cost of Care Survey, 2020).
    

3. Support Funding to Increase the Direct Care Workforce for the Care of Older and Disabled Adults – Low pay and unprecedented staff shortages exist both in long term care and for in-home services. This has left the most vulnerable older adults at increased risk for poor care and premature institutionalization. We urge Congress to invest in funding for increased pay and incentives, better training and education, and development of career opportunities for direct care workers is crucial.

 

“A Stronger Workforce is Needed to Support an Aging Nation.”

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The Older Americans Act Program

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• Provides older adults the support they need to live independently, safely, and with dignity in their own homes and remain in their community.
   

• Gives seniors, caregivers, and families a ‘one-stop-shop’ to find the help they need through information, access, and eligibility assistance.
   

• Helps caregivers and families who are caring for their elderly loved ones by providing essential support including counseling, training, and respite care. Such support helps caregivers continue in their role by alleviating exhaustion and fear.
   

• Saves the government and taxpayer’s money. Home and Community Care prevents unnecessary hospitalization and helps seniors avoid or delay the need for institutional care.

 

 

Resources

• USAging Policy Priorities: 2023
   

• Comparison of In-Home Care versus Nursing Home Care by City and State: https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html
   

• USAging Advocacy Efforts:

  • USAging publication: CAREGIVER NEEDED: How the Nation’s Workforce Shortages Make it Harder to Age Well at Home:  https://www.usaging.org/Files/Workforce-Issues_508.pdf

 

• USAging Response to the Senate HELP Workforce RFI, March 30, 2023

 

For more information go to www.se4a.org

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