The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 20-1 to advance S. 4776, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, to extend the law, which expires on September 30, for another five years. The legislation includes Argentum-supported provisions to address workforce shortages and expand multigenerational care models that will aid senior living communities, residents, families, and caregivers.
Specifically, Argentum endorsed the establishment of a national resource center to support the growth and professionalization of the direct care workforce. The rapid aging of the population, coupled with the increased prevalence of chronic conditions are fueling the demand for long-term care services. While there has been some improvement since the depths of the pandemic, many senior living communities are still facing a stubborn shortage of caregivers. Argentum has advocated for a number of bills in the 118th Congress to resolve the workforce shortage and backed the creation of a resource center to further support these efforts.
Argentum also championed an amendment that encourages multigenerational and civic engagement activities to foster greater connections between seniors and children.
Argentum has been a leader in establishing grant programs for multigenerational programs for senior living communities. In December 2023, U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Ann Kuster (D-NH), introduced H.R. 6835, the Care Across Generations Act, groundbreaking legislation that will help alleviate the twin senior and childcare workforce shortages in this country, while improving the health and wellbeing of both seniors and children. This legislation establishes a grant program, under the Older Americans Act framework, that empowers senior living communities to become hubs of intergenerational connection. By providing grants for on-site childcare, multigenerational activities, and dedicated intergenerational spaces, the Care Across Generations Act creates opportunities for seniors and children to learn from each other, foster deep bonds, and enrich their lives.
Studies have shown that intergenerational settings, which can combine senior care such as assisted living with child day care services, increase the health and well-being of both young and older participants, reduce social isolation, and create cost efficiencies. The concept is also popular— 92% of Americans believe intergenerational activities can reduce loneliness across all ages and 85% would prefer care settings that foster intergenerational connections.
Assisted living offers the ideal setting to embrace intergenerational care. America’s 31,400 assisted living communities are home to 1.4 million seniors and employ one million caregivers, many of whom report difficulties with finding reliable childcare. This intergenerational connection helps alleviate caregiving burdens, but also improves the health of children and seniors. These intergenerational activities can go a long way towards addressing the worsening loneliness crisis plaguing older adults in this country.
The bill will now be considered by the full Senate sometime in September, following the August recess.
