The Senate Special Committee on Aging commemorated its fiftieth anniversary by holding a forum, where panelists discussed the committee’s past accomplishments and explored the future of aging in America.

The forum included government and the private sector experts and researchers who shared insights into the future of aging in America and how far the nation has come in producing policy beneficial to seniors. .Participants highlighted an extensive list of issues that the committee has tackled in the last fifty years. Among the topics was the committee’s commitment to home and community based options.

“The committee’s long campaign to strengthen home and community‐based options for those needing help has resulted in much better and more satisfactory care arrangements for the majority of seniors no longer able to live completely independently,” said John Rother, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care.

Other panelists echoed this sentiment and many praised the Older Americans Act for providing more opportunities for older Americans to get the help they need, without having to move into an institutionalized setting.

Despite the committee’s accomplishments, chairman of the committee, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) emphasized the need for continued action. “Now is not the time to let home and community‐based programs, such as those funded by the Older Americans Act, languish,” he said.

Participants also supported the law’s reauthorization along with other methods of helping seniors age in place. For example, Assistant Secretary of the Administration on Aging, Kathy Greenlee called for a more holistic approach in providing for seniors. She hopes to see those providing acute care, long term care, and community services collaborate to provide a better quality of life for seniors.

“A key component of this strategy is supporting the concept of aging in place so that older persons…can remain at home in the community with the appropriate supports and services for as long as possible…” said Greenlee “I believe that most Americans share common values now and for the future – a future where we continue to increase alternatives to institutional care that are person-centered, consumer-driven and support individuals in their homes.”

Following the forum, ALFA President and CEO Rick Grimes praised the work of the committee over the past 50 years. “Millions of seniors are benefiting today from the committee’s work and influence on public policy.  I encourage the committee to continue to push for policies that advance quality of care and quality of life for seniors and their families, and champion the elimination of ageism in our country.”

Watch the complete forum: Aging in America: Future Challenges, Promise and Potential and read panelists’ statements in their entirety.

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