Senators Kaine, Warner applaud unanimous passage to reauthorize Older Americans Act

Virginia Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine recently applauded the unanimous passage of a bill to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA).

According to a release, the OAA authorizes programs and services to assist older Americans age in their homes and communities — including Kaine’s Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act, which helps to designate trained volunteers and staff to be representatives and advocates for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

“I’ve long been proud to advocate for elder Virginians, including through efforts to ensure that they can receive the care they deserve, and have their end-of-life wishes known and honored,” Warner said. “I’m proud to see the Senate pass this legislation, which reauthorizes crucial social service programs that seniors and caregivers rely on.”

“I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, which has helped seniors be able to age in their homes and communities with dignity,” Kaine said. “I’m especially proud that this legislation included my bill to strengthen advocacy for long-term care residents and a provision I fought for to better support the direct care workforce. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bill as soon as possible.”

The bill includes several provisions, which can be found below:

• Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act
• Direct Care Workforce Training
• Support for Area Agencies on Aging

For more information, click here.