The Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of problems for so many folks across the world, but some of the more hidden issues relate to Senior citizens and their caretakers. Seniors should be able to age with dignity and have fair and impartial access to the long-term care system. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to expanding access to health care, nutrition services, caregiving, and opportunities to age in place for all older Americans. May has been named “Older American’s Month” to honor the struggles that seniors and their caretakers have faced for over a year during the pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, many elderly folks have been left in near-total isolation in the retirement communities with very little contact with family or friends. Alternatively, family caregivers have been shouldering the work of trying to manage to juggle care for seniors at home while still trying to work to survive the economic upheaval that the pandemic has presented. The Biden-Harris administration has recently announced a plan to help ease the various troubles this issue has presented. To read the details of the plan, check it out here. Below is a brief summary of the main points.
American Rescue Plan for Older Americans Act
On May 3rd, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living provided $1.4 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan for Older Americans Act programs. This funding will provide support to the elderly in 5 broad categories, including:
- Vaccine outreach and coordination
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Family caregiver support
- Justice programs
Funding distribution
- $750 million for meals for older adults
- $460 million for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) through the Older Americans Act
- $44 million for evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention
- $145 million to help family caregivers support their loved ones
- $10 million to safeguard the health and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities
Written by: Emily Grove