Franken Releases Report On Challenges Facing Minnesota Seniors As Baby Boomers Begin To Retire
Findings Will Guide His Legislative Agenda For The Reauthorization Of The Older Americans Act
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said seniors in Minnesota and across the country will face many social and economic challenges in the coming years as the Baby Boom Generation begins to retire in 2011, and he released a report outlining the findings his staff gathered during a 17 stop "Senior Listening Tour" in communities across Minnesota. Sen. Franken will use the report to guide his legislative efforts in the coming months, throughout the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA), and as other legislation affecting seniors comes before the Senate.
"We have to be prepared as a state and as a nation to deal with the changes we will experience when millions of Baby Boomers begin to retire next year," said Sen. Franken. "This report outlines the input my staff received from hundreds of Minnesotans on the current and future needs of our seniors. As we begin to debate the Older Americans Act and other legislation affecting seniors I will use the information as a guide."
The listening sessions held by Sen. Franken's staff examined the effectiveness of the OAA, which funds many local services like Meals on Wheels, senior centers, senior employment programs, and caregiver support. These OAA programs assist seniors in a range of ways, including helping seniors stay in their homes, get proper nutrition, and access transportation services to get to medical appointments and other destinations.
The following are some of the key findings that became apparent during the course of the tour:
- Seniors lack transportation and access to vital programs, especially in rural areas.
- Minnesota seniors prefer home care; current programs work, but additional support is needed.
- Additional coordination and flexibility of senior programs are needed.
- Volunteer opportunities are critical-for seniors and those who serve seniors.
- As the senior population grows, funding for programs under the OAA needs to be increased.
- Senior counseling programs are valuable and often essential for end-of-life issues.
- Seniors need to be educated on how the new health reform law will impact them.
You can find the complete report here.
