The recent closure of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the federal Department of Health and Human Services is a devastating loss for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. The ACL was created in 2012 to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities could live independently and with dignity by bringing together key programs under one agency. Its role in administering the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and other critical services under the Older Americans Act has been vital in safeguarding the rights and well-being of vulnerable individuals.
Now, with the closure of the ACL and the layoffs of experienced staff, the future of these essential programs is uncertain. This change jeopardizes services that many people rely on, including home-delivered meals, caregiver support, and elder abuse prevention. Without strong federal leadership, these programs may face cuts or restructuring that could leave older adults and people with disabilities without the support they need.
The community must act to protect critical aging services once housed under ACL.
Why We Must Protect Critical Aging Services Now
For decades, the ACL has provided critical oversight and advocacy to ensure that programs designed to help older adults and individuals with disabilities remain effective and accessible. For example, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program serves as an independent advocate for people living in nursing homes and other long-term care settings. The ACL ensured that ombudsman programs had the resources, training, and guidance to help residents receive quality care and protect their rights. Similarly, ACL played a vital role in overseeing Adult Protective Services (APS), which helps protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. You may know the APS team as “the hotline” people call when they need to report abuse of an older adult or person with a disability. Without ACL’s leadership, these programs face uncertainty, making it harder to prevent mistreatment and hold facilities accountable.
Additionally, the Older Americans Act programs have long helped people stay in their homes, avoiding unnecessary and costly institutionalization. Home-delivered meals, transportation services, caregiver support, and other community-based services allow millions of older adults to age in place with dignity. Without these programs, many individuals will be forced into long-term care settings, already struggling with overcrowding and staff shortages. At the same time, the potential loss of ombudsman advocacy means that residents entering long-term care will have no one looking out for their rights when they need it most.
The impact is clear: cutting these essential services will lead to millions of people being forced into nursing homes without the advocacy and oversight they need to ensure they receive quality care. We must act now to protect critical aging services and ensure they continue serving those who need them most.
How You Can Help
Your voice matters. By reaching out to your elected officials, you can help safeguard the programs that support older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Call your senators and representatives today and urge them to:
- Support full funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
- Protect and strengthen all programs under the Older Americans Act.
- Demand transparency about how these essential services will be administered moving forward.
To find the contact information for your senators and representative, visit www.senate.gov and www.house.gov, where you can search by state or ZIP code.
Sample Call Script
If you’re unsure what to say when you call your legislators, here’s a simple script you can use:
Step 1: Introduce Yourself
“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent from [Your City, State]. I’m calling today because I am deeply concerned about the closure of the Administration for Community Living and the impact this will have on programs that support older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.”
Step 2: State Your Concern
“The ACL was created in 2012 to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities could live independently and with dignity. It played a crucial role in administering the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which protects the rights and well-being of people living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. It also oversaw Adult Protective Services, which helps prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Additionally, ACL managed critical programs under the Older Americans Act, including home-delivered meals, caregiver support, and elder abuse prevention. With its closure and the layoffs of experienced staff, I am worried about how these services will continue.” Be sure to share any personal experience you have with the ombudsman program or other Older Americans Act program like Meals on Wheels.
Step 3: Make Your Request
“I urge [Senator/Representative’s Name] to:
- Support full funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
- Protect and strengthen all programs under the Older Americans Act.
- Demand transparency about how these essential services will be administered moving forward.
Older adults and people with disabilities rely on these programs, and we need strong federal leadership to ensure they continue. Without these services, millions of people will be forced into already overcrowded nursing homes without the advocacy they need to receive the quality care they deserve. Can you tell me what [Senator/Representative’s Name] is doing to protect these vital services?”
Step 4: Thank Them
“Thank you for your time and for listening to my concerns. I appreciate your leadership on this issue, and I hope to see strong support for these programs.”
Take Action Today to Protect Critical Aging Services
We cannot afford to lose the protections and support that the ACL provided. Older adults and people with disabilities deserve strong advocacy and well-funded services to help them live with dignity. Call your legislators today and make your voice heard. Together, we can ensure these essential programs remain strong and continue serving those who need them most.
FAQs About Protecting Critical Aging Services
What happens if the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program loses funding?
Residents in nursing homes may have no independent advocate to address complaints and improve care quality.
How does the Older Americans Act help people stay at home?
It funds services like meal delivery, transportation, and in-home support, preventing unnecessary nursing home placements. All four of our Area Agency on Aging partners, St. Louis Area Agency on Aging, Aging Ahead, North East Missouri Agency on Aging, and Aging Matters provide a host of services funded by the Older Americans Act that were previously overseen by ACL.
Why was the Administration for Community Living created?
The ACL was established in 2012 to streamline and strengthen programs that help older adults and people with disabilities live independently. By consolidating these services under one agency, the ACL ensured better coordination, oversight, and efficiency in delivering critical aging services.
How can I stay informed and take further action?
Follow organizations like VOYCE for updates, advocacy opportunities, and ways to support policies that protect older adults and people with disabilities.