-- ALFA Supports Funding of Older Americans Act Programs and Encourages Greater Public-Private Partnerships to Serve Seniors --

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – May 26, 2011 – The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) today expressed its support for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and the benefits that programs produced from the Act deliver to seniors and their families. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging earlier today held a hearing about the Older Americans Act entitled, "Meals, Rides, and Caregivers: What Makes the Older Americans Act so Vital to America's Seniors."

First enacted in 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) helps seniors remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Through a variety of programs such as Meals on Wheels, senior center services, family caregiver support, and worker training for low-income seniors, the OAA creates a supportive framework around seniors and their families who need some assistance, encouragement, and information. According to the National Council on Aging, investments in OAA Programs ultimately save public money because they mitigate the need for seniors to enter costly nursing homes funded by Medicare and Medicaid.

“The need for programs such as those created by the Older Americans Act has never been greater,” said Richard P. Grimes, president and CEO of the Assisted Living Federation of America. “The increasing senior population and the economy are squeezing important senior and family caregiver programs like never before. Supportive programs that help seniors today can only help reduce the need for more expensive publicly-funded options tomorrow. While Congress needs to make tough financial decisions, it is also an opportunity to explore how there could be greater public-private partnerships to support Older Americans Act programs. Such programs in other areas have produced more innovative, sustainable choices at a lower cost.”

The members of ALFA operate professionally-managed senior living communities all across the country. Many offer services such as respite stays, family caregiver support groups, and educational programming on a variety of topics related to senior and family caregiver health and wellness. Incentives to create more public-private partnerships and more information could help reduce waiting lists for services.

About the Assisted Living Federation of America
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally-managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the seniors and families they serve.  Since 1990, ALFA has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors.  ALFA’s programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurialism in the field of senior living.  Visit ALFA’s Web site at www.alfa.org.

Contact:

Paul Williams 
Senior Director of Government Relations
703-562-1183
pwilliams@alfa.org

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