|
Click here to watch the video
BAY NEWS 9 | BY Melissa Eichman PUBLISHED 8:40 PM ET Jun. 25, 2025 Click here to watch the video ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A program that helps senior citizens pay their utility bills faces federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s proposed budget. What You Need To Know
“The proposed 2026 budget has zero dollars,” said Christine Didion, Director of Programs at Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, referring to the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program, which is in jeopardy of being eliminated. The agency reports the program served more than 530 seniors in the 2023-2024 program year, and 386 seniors have been served in the 2024-2025 program year. “It’s just very scary to think about what a senior who does depend on a medical device to live or who relies on air conditioning as we all do when its 100 degrees outside and they’re calling and saying my utilities have been shut off and I don’t know what to do,” said Didion. “It’s very scary to think how we’re going to help people.” One of those seniors currently benefiting from the program is 67-year-old Kathleen Fitzgerald of Pasco County. “It just means that I can buy the things that I need, as opposed to some people out there that have to decide between food and medication,” said Fitzgerald, who reached out to the agency after the loss of her husband in 2019. “I just didn’t have the money.” She’s grateful for the help, but Fitzgerald and seniors like her are in jeopardy of losing the assistance. Didion says she’s concerned about how the lack of funding could impact the seniors they serve. “It could increase people having to go into assisted living or a nursing facility, if they can’t live in a safe environment or be at risk of losing their housing altogether or be homeless,” said Didion. BAY NEWS 9 | BY Melissa Eichman
PUBLISHED 10:41 PM ET Jun. 17, 2025 Click here to watch the video ST PETERSBURG, Fla. — The number of seniors calling the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas for help with housing has increased 40 percent since before the COVID-19 pandemic to now, according to Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas executive director Ann Marie Winter. While the cost of rent is on the rise, so is the number of older American tenants. What You Need To Know
Cynthia Woods, 62, takes pride in her St. Petersburg home. “I love gardening, that’s one of my favorite things to do,” said Woods of the hobby she says brings her peace. “My dream is to have my own home so I can do this.” She has been renting her home for 13 years. “Started off paying $900, two or three years ago it doubled, $1,850,” said Woods of the rent she says she’s struggling to pay. She wonders if home ownership is in her future. “Right now, I’m working on my credit again since the bankruptcy and trying to get in the position to buy a home because I can’t afford to move,” said Woods. Woods, who is a mother and grandmother, joins a growing number of older tenants in the United States. An Urban Institute projection reports those 65 and older renting will increase from 22% in 2020 to 27% in 2040. It also suggests for Black seniors, that number will double. “Seniors are reaching out to us because they can’t afford to live in their homes,” says Winter. "The agency offers more than 40 services to help seniors live well at home, aging from caregiving and wellness programs to transportation and mental health services. “We get about 1,000 calls a week from seniors." Those calls are from seniors like Woods, reaching out for those home and community-based services to help supplement their fixed income, especially when the cost of housing is soaring. “So, that limited income is all they have, so some feel that moving into a rental is going to be less expensive, more affordable because they won’t have to worry about replacing their roof or cleaning their gutters or maintaining their landscaping, they’ll pay one monthly fee and that will be it,” said Winter. “Things are happening everyday, it’s getting more and more expensive,” said Woods. CATALYST | By AA Catalyst
PUBLISHED MAY 28, 2025 As America grapples with the future of federal aging services, one thing remains clear: Older adults and their caregivers rely on critical programs that cannot be left to wither. While the Administration for Community Living (ACL) faces potential dismantling, the Older Americans Act (OAA)—the bedrock of aging services in this country—remains vital. Its reauthorization and full funding are not just bureaucratic necessities; they are a national imperative. If we want to Make America Healthy Again, we must invest in the well-being of older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers. The Older Americans Act: A Lifeline for Millions First passed in 1965, the Older Americans Act provides essential services that help older adults remain independent, healthy, and connected to their communities. It funds nutrition programs like home delivered meals, caregiver support, transportation, legal aid, and protection against elder abuse. Through local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and community-based organizations, the OAA reaches millions—many of whom have no other safety net. The OAA is not just about charity; it’s about preventing costly healthcare crises. A delivered meal or an in-home aide can keep an older adult out of a hospital or nursing home, saving taxpayer dollars while improving quality of life. A senior center helps older adults stay engaged in the community, creates opportunities for volunteering and keeps people active and healthy – eliminating loneliness and isolation and their deadly effects. Caregiver Support: The Backbone of Aging in America America’s caregivers—often unpaid family members—shoulder enormous burdens. The OAA provides respite care, training, and counseling to help them navigate the challenges of caring for loved ones. Without this support, many caregivers burn out, leading to worse health outcomes for both them and the people they care for and to more costly care options. The Threat of Inaction Despite its proven success, the OAA is chronically underfunded. Now, with uncertainty surrounding the ACL, the aging network faces disruption. Yet the need is greater than ever. Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65, and by 2030, one in five Americans will be a senior. If we fail to act, we risk leaving millions of older adults without meals, support, and care. A Call to Action: Reauthorize and Fund the OAA If we truly want to Make America Healthy Again, we must prioritize the health and independence of older adults and their caregivers. Congress must act now to reauthorize the Older Americans Act and ensure full funding for vital services. We also call on state and local leaders to support Area Agencies on Aging, which continue to serve their communities despite funding shortfalls. America’s strength is measured not just by its economy or military but by how it treats its most vulnerable. The OAA is a proven investment in dignity, health, and economic stability. Let’s not turn our backs on the very people who built this nation. Reauthorize the Older Americans Act now. In 2024, the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas and its partners agencies provided services to 63,000 seniors in Pinellas and Pasco counties. These are your family members, neighbors and friends. They deserve continued support. Don’t let them down. TAMPA BEACON | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | By: Ann Marie Winter
PUBLISHED APRIL 30, 2025 Seniors rely on critical programs that cannot be left to wither. While the Administration for Community Living (ACL) faces potential dismantling, the Older Americans Act (OAA) - the bedrock of aging services in this community - remains vital. Full funding is not just a bureaucratic necessity; it's a national imperative. If we truly want to Make America Healthy Again, we must prioritize the health and independence of seniors and their caregivers. OAA provides essential services that help older adults remain independent healthy and is much cheaper than nursing home placement. It funds home delivered meals, caregiver support, transportation, legal aid, and protection against elder abuse. Through local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and community organizations, these programs reach millions - many of whom have no other safety net. With funding uncertainty, the aging network faces disruption. Yet the need is greater than ever. Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65, and by 2030, one in five Americans will be a senior. If we fail to act, we risk leaving millions of older adults without meals, support, and care. President Trump and Congress must ensure full funding for vital services. Let's not turn our backs on the very people who built this nation. In 2024, the Area Agency of Pasco-Pinellas and its partner agencies provided services to 63,000 seniors in Pinellas and Pasco counties. These are your family members, neighbors and friends. They deserve continued support. |
Archives
October 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed