Feingold Presses for Renewal of Older Americans
Act
January 11,
2000
Amherst, WI -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today highlighted his
original cosponsorship of legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans
Act and give Congress’s commitment of support for the long-term to the
seniors’ programs the Act authorizes.
"The Older Americans Act provides our senior citizens with support
networks that enhance their lives and with nutrition programs that improve
their health," Feingold said. "Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act
will help ensure that senior centers, and the creative programs they
offer, get the support they need."
Feingold pointed out that the Older Americans Act helps seniors
maintain their independence and well-being in a variety of ways. The Act
addresses seniors' nutritional health, which has remained a concern since
it was first recognized to be inadequate through studies done in the late
1960s, which found that hundreds of thousands of older Americans existed
on diets that lacked proper nutrition. By providing meals at senior
centers and delivering them to seniors' homes, the Act's nutrition program
helps millions of seniors live healthier lives.
In addition to the nutrition program, the Older Americans Act funds the
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which investigates complaints made by,
or on behalf of, seniors living in long-term care facilities like nursing
homes. By funding home care and elder abuse prevention services, the Act
also works to protect the well being of seniors at risk for suffering
abuse.
"Along with Social Security and Medicare, the Older Americans Act plays
a central part in enabling seniors to live with dignity," Feingold said.
"Congress needs to give it's full support to the Older Americans Act, and
in the coming year I'll do everything I can to see that it does."
Feingold's ninth Listening Session of 2000, and the 513th
since he was first elected in 1992, was held at the Amherst High School
Library, beginning at 9:45 a.m. Feingold’s tenth session of 2000, and
514th since he was first elected, was held at the Nekoosa High
School beginning at noon. | 