By Cole Wimberly
Due to the imminent Federal Budget cuts, the 60-year-old, Older American Act (OAA), is potentially going to undergo many extreme changes along with the programs that work with it.
Midland Area on Aging representative, Tracy Barczewki, led the presentation for the day of action meeting that was held on May 28th. At the meeting, “Don’t Blow out the Candle on the Older Americans Act”, discussion of the funding cuts and disbursement of programs for the OAA was put into perspective by Barczewki. If these federal budget cuts pass, funding for the well-being of caregivers, older people, disabled people, and low-income families will decline significantly.
Barczewki explains, “Federal Budget cuts could jeopardize the programs of the Older American Act funds. Programs that help older adults live safely, healthfully, independently in their homes, and in the community. So as we gather to say loud and clear, we will not allow these services to be diminished or denied.”
In 2024, the OAA helped over 478,000 older adults. 17% of the older population in Illinois received services.
The following services will be lost per month statewide with no federal funding for the OAA:
183,209 Home Delivered Meals
154,971 Congregate Meals
30,264 Information and Assistance
14,933 Rides
5,378 Health Screenings and Education
3,389 Legal Assistance
1,388 Visits to Multi-Purpose Senior Centers
1,138 Ombudsman Consultations
925 In-Home and Chore Services
753 Family Caregiver Services
542 Options Counseling
If the federal funding gets cut, the Health and Human Services will oversee the services of the OAA. The nutrition programs that involve food deliveries and other nutritional needs will be overseen by Healthcare and Family. The transportation programs that involve rides, caregiver funding, and other transportation funding services will be overseen by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid. With the OAA programs being divided and under the control of larger industries, there is fear of the original OAA programs and services being overlooked.
The local “Meals on Wheels” program has already undergone low funding and will remain at three days per week instead of the five-day-a-week program anticipated. With other programs also being low funded, Senior Centers have had to cut staff and services, including Energy assistance, snap food benefits, ship programs, title 7 ombudsman, and wellness classes.
BCMW representatives also attended the meeting a gave a brief overview of what they offer. If eligible, BCMW will help pay up to $1000 per family for small auto repairs, insurance, rent or mortgage, adult and children’s diapers, and home repairs. For more information or to check if eligible, call the BCMW office to see if you are eligible.