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WASHINGTON, DC -- Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of H.R. 5293, a bill updating federal laws under the Older Americans Act that have delivered social and nutrition services to older persons since 1965. The bill is now ready to be signed into law.
Congressman David Wu successfully amended the bill to help the federal government better address the needs of today's seniors who choose to remain in urban areas and who want to continue their education at colleges and universities.
"This year, our first baby-boomers will turn 60 and federal law needs to adapt to this vibrant and influential generation," said Congressman Wu. "We need to help them age successfully and healthy by better assisting seniors in urban communities and by providing life-long learning opportunities so that they can exercise their minds and maintain social contacts."
The Older Americans Act (OAA) provides support for multidisciplinary gerontology centers that focus on special needs communities within the senior population. Until passage of Congressman Wu's amendment today, gerontology centers that focus on urban seniors have not been eligible for funding. Congressman Wu's amendment to change the eligibility criteria was significant because more research is needed to assist the growing, diverse senior population choosing to remain in urban communities. Seniors living in urban communities face challenges with respect to housing, health, crime and transportation.
Congressman Wu's second amendment allows institutions of higher education to use funding under OAA to promote programs that offer classes to seniors. Congressman Wu believes life-long learning is key to helping seniors lead full, healthy lifestyles.
Congressman Wu worked with Dr. Margaret Neal, director of Portland State University's Institute on Aging on the amendments. The Institute on Aging is a multidisciplinary gerontology research center and also houses the Senior Adult Learning Center that allows seniors to audit university classes for free.
"Congressman Wu's leadership in creating this new focus of the Older Americans Act is much needed," said Dr. Neal. "The amendments focus on urban elders and on life-long learning as a part of a healthy lifestyle. These aspects are increasingly important for responding to the needs of an aging population that are very different from those of elders when the bill was first passed in 1965."
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