Senate Special Committee on Aging Issues Testimony From Southern Maine Agency on Aging
"I am
"During my tenure at SMAA, I have seen the Older Americans Act evolve to become a solid foundation for the future of aging services in this nation. Today, I will share my experience as a veteran on the front line of the Act's evolution in the "oldest" state in the Nation.
"
"SMAA offers the core of OAA services: home-delivered and community-based meals, information and assistance, Family Caregiver support, training, and respite, Medicare counseling, fraud prevention, and health promotion activities. SMAA operates an adult day center for older adults with dementia, the Sam L. Cohen Center, where I was delighted to host
"Senior Nutrition programs are a hallmark of the OAA. However, by the early 2000s our traditional congregate dining model was languishing. Flat funding, rising inflation and shifting demographic interests had reduced participation and increased operating cost. Our clientele was "aging out" to
"In its first five years, "As You Like It" grew our congregate program by 55% and increased the number of diners from rural areas by 61% while exceeding AOA goals to increase the number of people and meals served per dollar of funding.
"SMAA then restructured our
"Using the updated menu and delivery options, we rebranded our new
"These two examples show how the Older Americans Act can become a new platform for addressing what medicine calls the "social determinants of health". Poor nutrition, lifestyle choices, limited access to safe housing and isolation exacerbate most chronic health conditions, but are nearly impossible for the medical community to influence alone. Area Agencies on Aging are ready to help.
"As SMAA has shown, a nimble and innovative
"I have several recommendations to "modernize" the Older Americans Act:
1) Explicitly encourage State and Area Agencies on Aging to leverage OAA funds through "private pay" and contractual relationships with healthcare;
2) Modify the Act to recognize the value in adding cost and revenue sharing options beyond individual client donations;
3) Remove restrictions on Area Agencies on Aging delivering direct services without first obtaining a waiver from their State Units on Aging;
4) Increase OAA funding! OAA funding has woefully lagged growth in the aging population. At SMAA, we receive less Older Americans Act funding today than we did in 2010. Please increase funding to a level that restores the service capacity we have lost in the past decade. Then index authorizations to keep up with the growth of the older population and inflation.
"In three months, I will be retiring from my position at SMAA. I have had a fulfilling career with many unique opportunities and satisfying achievements thanks to the Older Americans Act. Testifying to this Committee and sharing my insights with you is a wonderful capstone. Thank you."
[TheHill]
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