Caregiving group urges Senate to reauthorize Older Americans Act

Jason Resendez, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on October 28. He outlined three policy changes intended to support the more than 60 million Americans who serve as family caregivers. Resendez joined gerontologist Sam Cradduck for the discussion to detail the solutions presented to lawmakers.

The first policy target is the reauthorization and funding of the Older Americans Act. This federal law provides money to state Area Agencies on Aging to deliver services for older adults. These services include Meals on Wheels and specific caregiver support programs. Resendez noted that the National Family Caregiver Support Program is one of the few federal line items dedicated to caregiving. The program currently receives approximately $200 million annually. This funding supports respite care, which allows caregivers to take breaks, as well as training and education. Resendez described this amount as a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of need.

The second priority is the creation of a national paid family and medical leave program. Resendez stated that the United States remains one of the only industrialized nations without such a program. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have established their own systems in the absence of federal action. Virginia was the first southern state to implement a paid leave program. A national program would allow individuals to provide care while remaining in the workforce and maintaining financial stability.

The third policy focus involves expanding Medicare's role in recognizing and supporting family caregivers. The National Alliance for Caregiving is pushing for stronger access to caregiver training services. They are also advocating for stronger in-home health benefits through Medicare. Resendez said these three policies together create a stronger foundation for caregivers to provide care with dignity and equity over time.

When asked to identify which policy would be most beneficial if only one passed, Resendez selected Medicare. He argued that changes to Medicare would provide immediate support to families. He also noted that the program was created in 1965 and needs modernization. An in-home health benefit, combined with stronger caregiver support and parity with Medicaid benefits for low-income families, would transform aging in America. Extending this support to families at all income levels would revolutionize how care is provided.

In the immediate term, Resendez identified passing the Older Americans Act as the primary step for Congress. He described the issue as extremely bipartisan. For policymakers who want to step up for family caregivers, casting the vote to reauthorize the act is a straightforward action. For employers, Resendez said the first step is to ask employees whether they have caregiving responsibilities. He noted that employers are not systematically asking this question. Without this data, companies are not designing benefits for employees who balance work and caregiving duties.

Resendez said the National Alliance for Caregiving is championing these changes to address the pain points family caregivers face daily. He emphasized that the older adult community has changed since the inception of Medicare in 1965. The group is working to ensure that support systems evolve to match these demographic shifts. The testimony serves as a direct appeal to lawmakers and employers to act on these specific measures.