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Resources

For Professionals

• SNAP Food Benefits at Risk for Cuts
• 5 Key Facts Must Inform the Medicare Reform Debate
• SCSEP Targeted in Workforce Investment Act Proposal
• Senators to Voice their Support for OAA Reauthorization at Capitol Hill Briefing
• Missing from the Presidential Debate: Long-Term Care
• State Advocate Experiences and Engagement in Duals Integration

For Older Adults and Caregivers

• Long-Term Services & Supports: Candidate Survey
• Straight Talk for Seniors™

For Advocates

• SNAP Food Benefits at Risk for Cuts
• 5 Key Facts Must Inform the Medicare Reform Debate
• Preventing Funding Cuts for Healthy Aging Programs: What You Can Do to Help

Bill Would Strengthen Senior Transportation

Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) have introduced a bill to improve transportation services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

The Senior Transportation Task Force, led by n4a and Easter Seals, has championed the legislation, and NCOA has added its endorsement.

The Senior Transportation and Mobility Improvement Act (S. 1942) contains a series of improvements that would:

• Give states added flexibility to utilize their federal funds.
• Expand program transparency through new reporting standards.
• Enhance the planning and coordination process.
• Provide technical assistance and seed grants to innovative community programs.
• Establish a mobility management program for older adults and people with disabilities.

Research shows communities across the nation are ill-prepared to provide adequate transportation choices for the growing population of older adults. Yet, transportation is key to seniors' health and well-being. Consider these facts:

• More than one in five individuals aged 65 and older no longer drives due to health or other reasons.
• Over half who don’t drive as a result of health issues—3.6 million—stay home because of lack of transportation options.
• Compared to other older drivers, non-drivers make 15% fewer trips to the doctor, 59% fewer shopping trips and visits to restaurants, and 65% fewer trips for social, family, and religious activities.
• Seniors without transportation options are at increased risk of isolation and institutionalization.

The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee is expected to take up federal transportation legislation soon, possibly as early as Dec. 15. It's critical that S. 1942 gains the bipartisan support of Committee members in order to have a chance of being included in the Committee’s reauthorization legislation.

want to live in a country where

older adults don't have to choose between paying for medicine or food.