Who Will Benefit From the Updated Older Americans Act?

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate gave final approval to a five-year renewal of the programs and services of the Older Americans Act (OAA), reports MarketWatch . The new legislation will provide new initiatives — and continue existing ones — that aid people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and assist low-income older Americans. In addition to the renewal, the bill allocates a 35 percent increase in funding over five years and reaffirms that the OAA addresses both social determinants of health and social isolation and loneliness. The law's congregate nutrition program addresses social isolation and is legally bound to provide participants with meals, nutrition education, and socialization opportunities. The law's reauthorization also would fortify efforts in this field by directing the Assistant Secretary for Aging to devise a long-term plan for supporting state and local efforts to counter social isolation. Meanwhile, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act recently passed by Congress and signed into law included $250 million in emergency funds for the OAA's senior nutrition programs.