It’s our turn to care for older Americans who have cared for us

Meeting with constituents in the places they live and gather is a favorite part of my job representing Northwest Oregon in Congress.

When I visited the Elsie Stuhr Senior Center in Beaverton during a lunch provided by Meals on Wheels, a volunteer sat down at the piano and began to play as the meal was wrapping up. It warmed my heart when the 90-year-old woman I was speaking with excused herself and started waltzing around the dining room with a friend. At another lunch in Forest Grove, seniors shared praise for the friendly volunteers and the welcoming space—the only complaint I heard was about too many carrots!

The homebound seniors I met while delivering Meals on Wheels echoed the same theme: although the nutrition assistance is important, what they cherish most about these programs is feeling connected to community.

Aging Americans have cared for us and supported our communities throughout their lives – now it is our turn to care for them. I’m proud to have led a bipartisan effort to revitalize these programs and services that support nearly 11 million aging Americans and their caregivers. The Dignity in Aging Act reauthorizes the Older Americans Act (OAA) and increases funding for social services and community-based programs like Meals on Wheels. Our legislation also:

• Provides more tailored support to family caregivers who play a vital role in helping aging Americans maintain their independence; 

• Puts a stronger focus on addressing social isolation among seniors by empowering local organizations to test local solutions;

• Establishes a National Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Center to better support the Aging Network; and

• Coordinates federal resources to promote the independence and safety of adults living at home as they age.

In a time of divisive words and headlines, this legislation, which passed the House with broad bipartisan support, is an encouraging example of collaboration. 

As chair of the Education and Labor Committee’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, I have heard directly from national leaders about the importance of strengthening these vital programs. In a country as abundant as the United States, seniors should not have to ration medication or save portions of their meals so they can stretch their resources just a bit further into the week.

But no one has taught me more about our responsibility to care for those who came before us than my 91-year-old mother and the caregivers who are with her on a daily basis. Helping Mom traverse our complicated health care system can be challenging, even with a law degree and my experience navigating the halls of Congress. Millions of Americans are caring for aging relatives, and we know that it is a humbling responsibility—and a rewarding one. My mother has shaped my life in profound ways, and it is gratifying to help make her remaining time more comfortable.

It’s our turn to care for older Americans who have cared for us. It’s our turn to make sure they have the support they need to age with independence, security, and—just as importantly—with dignity.

Bonamici represents Oregon’s 1st District and is chairwoman of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services.