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from Aging Opportunities News Online
Senate Appropriations Approves $143 Million Hike for AoA; $31 Million More for NIA
July 27, 2010
The Senate Subcommittee on Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations today marked up its FY 2011 appropriations legislation (S. 3686), providing a $143.3 million hike over current funding levels for the Administration on Aging.
The measure provides an additional $22.9 million for congregate meals, $15 million more for home-delivered meals, $48 million more for the family caregiver support program, and increases the new Lifespan Respite Care program by $4.5 million.
The legislation also includes $561 million for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to fight health care fraud, a $250 million increase over FY 2010.
Click here to view table of appropriations.
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New Resource Assists Older Job Seekers with Job Search
July 15, 2010
Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, the unemployment numbers in America are at record levels, and the situation is especially troubling for the older adult population. More than 2.1 million people aged 55 and over were unemployed in May 2010 (7.1 percent), according to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, which operates the Eldercare Locator. Studies show that entering or reentering the workforce at later ages is more difficult than at younger ages. Average duration of unemployment for jobseekers aged 55 and older was little changed from January 2010 at 35.6 weeks, but substantially above the 28.3 weeks for the unemployed under age 55.
To assist older job seekers—many of whom are attempting to return to the workforce for the first time in many years— the Eldercare Locator (www.eldercare.gov) and Senior Service America, Inc. (www.seniorserviceamerica.org) developed a new brochure, “Employment Options: Tips for Older Job Seekers.” The tips and information are geared toward the older worker who has not searched for a job in many years and is looking for tips on how to use new technologies, find job leads, write a resume, interview and identify other useful employment resources.
“Entering or re-entering the workforce at later ages can be more difficult than at younger ages. The tips for older job seekers in this new brochure can provide older adults with the information and confidence they need to pursue new employment opportunities.” said Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging, U.S. Administration on Aging.
“Older workers bring experience and a sense of leadership that is critical for every work environment,” said Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Administration, Jane Oates. “This brochure will help break down barriers for a population that deserves a fair chance to continue to bring value to the workplace.”
“Employment Options: Tips for the Older Job Seeker,” available through the Eldercare Locator Resource Center (www.n4a.org/programs/eldercare-locator/resources), offers advice on various stages of the job seeking process, including:
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Statement from Secretary Sebelius on the Death of Dr. Robert Butler
July 7, 2010
I join the rest of the country in mourning the death of Dr. Robert Butler, one of America’s greatest champions for the health and wellbeing of older Americans. As the first director of the National Institute of Aging, the founder of the country’s first geriatrics department, and in a decades-long career as a physician and policy advisor, Dr. Butler brought critical new public attention and medical resources to improving the health of our seniors.
He made great contributions as a researcher, playing a key role in the discovery that some of the debilitating conditions associated with old age could actually be prevented with the right care. But he made an even bigger impact as an advocate. He coined the term “ageism” and then became its most determined critic, helping to transform a culture that too often acted as if people’s contributions to society ended on their 65th birthday.
Dr. Butler’s own career showed just how wrong that view was, as he continued to be an international leader in geriatrics right up until his death at age 83. For his trailblazing work to help seniors live rich and healthy lives – to not just survive, but thrive – all Americans, young and old, owe him an enormous debt. We will miss him dearly.
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