Oct. 2, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts: Sarah Mashburn, 202-508-9492

Statement from Larry Minnix, President & CEO, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) on Passage of the Older Americans Act

Washington, D.C. - We commend Congress for passing the 16th reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA). The programs that the OAA funds provide older Americans with the essential supportive services they need to age independently and in their own homes.

In particular, we are pleased that the OAA authorizes mechanisms for better coordination between federal senior housing and services programs and contains provisions for demonstration projects to explore how the advancement of technologies can promote independence, facilitate early disease detection, provide greater support to caregivers and minimize medication error.

The legislation’s provisions also extend the National Family Caregiver Support program and better coordinate home and community-based services for elders, which will help older adults at risk of institutionalization and the individuals who care for them.

Last year, we introduced our Five Big Ideas for transforming aging services, which included enabling technology applications and coordinating affordable housing with services. This legislation recognizes that concepts like these offer maximum consumer choice and quality that people can trust.

Now we urge Congress to fund the OAA at levels that will enable older Americans receive the services they need, when they need them, in a place they call home.

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About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.