Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced a bill to reauthorize and improve the Older Americans Act which supports critical programs for seniors. The legislation includes provisions to help seniors include improved job training services for seniors, expanded support for caregivers and added protections against elder abuse.
Co-sponsored by 14 other senators, the new bill extends the original law enacted in 1965. According to a summary of the bill, there are 5 key goals of the legislation:
- Strengthen and reauthorize core programs of the Older Americans act through 2018, including a 12 percent increase from 2010 funding levels to address the growing population of seniors.
- Update definitions of “greatest economic and social need” to include seniors who may benefit from additional outreach, such as veterans, LGBT individuals, Holocaust survivors, and those with Alzheimer’s disease.
- An increased focus on the economic security of older adults.
- Fund new programs to improve care coordination and create the National Resource Center on Family Caregiving
- Provide more resources to protect seniors from elder abuse.
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