MA4 (Missouri Area Agency on Aging) has shared a message:
Urgent Attention Needed to Sustain Critical Services for Older Americans
Today is day 14 of the federal government shutdown. A continued shutdown represents a significant risk to the health, independence, and dignity of our older adults and caregivers.
Missouri’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are on the front lines, and we can tell you plainly: the lapse in federal funding, particularly for the Older Americans Act (OAA), is placing serious and dangerous strain on the vital services our communities rely on every single day.
The Shut-Down Jeopardizes Essential Lifelines
The funding crisis directly jeopardizes the programs that keep our most vulnerable neighbors safe and independent in their homes. An extended shutdown could lead to:
- Potential Disruption of Senior Nutrition: Programs like home-delivered meals and community dining sites, which are often heavily reliant on federal funding, face a worrying delay in essential support. For thousands of homebound seniors, these meals are their primary source of nutrition and their only daily safety check. Delays in funding mean the very real possibility of seniors facing hunger and isolation.
- Strain on Caregiver and Other Support: Services such that provide relief and training to family caregivers, such as respite care, may be forced to scale back, pushing already stressed families past their breaking point. Seniors who depend on AAA-supported transportation to get to medical appointments, pick up prescriptions, and access groceries could face significant obstacles.
- Delayed Access to Funding: Historically after a shutdown, it has taken up to six weeks to resume funding to AAAs; this creates a risk of being forced to reduce, delay, or pause services.
The safety net for older Americans is already stretched to the limit. Congress must work swiftly to find a resolution. Action should be taken without delay to restore full government funding and protect our seniors.
| What You Can Do Right Now: Contact Your Legislators! |
| Call or Email Your U.S. Representatives and Senators Call Senator Hawley 1-202-224-6154 Call Senator Schmitt 1-202-224-5721 Contact your Representative through the US Capitol Switchboard: 1-202- 224-3121 |
| Sample Messaging – Keep it clear and concise: My name is ___ and I am a constituent from ____. I am calling to urge you to take prompt action to reopen the government and pass a funding bill for the Older Americans Act (OAA). The government shutdown is significantly straining essential services like home-delivered meals. transportation, and caregiver support in our community. Please prioritize the health and well-being of our older adults and pass a resolution quickly. |
| Share This Alert! |
| Post this Call to Action on social media and share it with your neighbors, friends, and families. Missouri’s AAAs remain unwavering in our commitment to serving the older adults and caregivers in our community. Please stand with us and demand that Congress fully funds the government without delay. Every minute counts. |
Comments 2
Linda Woods
I am a aging ahead (73) year old Lady, the monthly Food realy help me from cooking my meals every day and I thank aging ahead for the tasty meals. So please think about the elderly Men and Women. you serve and love. Remember Everyone still living will be Elderly one day. THANK YOU ALL!!
Daphne Phillips
I’ve sent my comments to Hawley and Schmitt. As long as these two men agree with Trump, therevis no end. These two elected officials are not for the people, not for the families and not for the seniors! Be it the government shutdown, FEMA, SNAP, social security Hawley and Schmitt dont care! Elected officials give up your paycheck, sell your valubles and see how many people you feed. Sorry, I got too political. 🙂