In an ever-changing world, one thing remains constant: We are all aging.
The sustained aging of our American population is driving a permanent increase in the percentage of older adults, establishing a historical demographic precedent.
The Trump Administration has proposed a restructuring of the U.S.Health and Human Services (HHS) that includes dismantling the ACL (Administration for Community Living) and division of ACL programs amongst other HHS programs.
The ACL oversees critical programs and services that help older adults and people with disabilities live well at home and in the community.
The Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging (ma4) joins our national association, USAging, and the national aging services network, to share serious concerns regarding the potential impacts on our aging Americans that would occur from this proposed dismantling.
Across the country, millions of older adults rely on Older Americans Act programs through the ACL to receive nutritious meals; to access transportation to medical appointments; and to receive in-home supportive services, such as help with bathing, dressing, and household chores.
Urgent questions are unanswered about how this dismantling, as well as a massive reduction of staff, will affect the people we are charged to serve, their families, and their communities.
Please urge your Congress members to ensure that the breaking apart of the ACL does not create gaps in aging service delivery; lead to fewer resources for community-based organizations charged with planning and delivering those services; or ultimately create situations where older Americans are hungrier, less healthy, less safe or less independent—and their family caregivers are more burdened and stressed.
At an historic time when our country is experiencing the largest ever transformation to an older population, we must ensure that our country strengthens – not weakens – the aging services network that millions of older adults rely on to age well.
Urge Congress to Protect Aging Americans
Sample Messaging
Dear ____,
Please protect aging Americans!
Proposed dismantling of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) could cause catastrophic damage to the services that millions of aging Americans rely upon to remain healthy and independent. Please ensure that we can all age well at home by protecting the infrastructure of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Please support policies that strengthen—not weaken—the systems that support aging with dignity and independence. Sincerely,
Thank you for all you do to protect older adults! Julie Peetz, Executive Directorjpeetz@ma4web.org