October 6, 2020 Washington, DC — Statement from Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, the national association of nonprofit providers of aging services, whose 5,000-plus members care for millions of older adults nationwide:

“It is reckless, callous and cruel to walk away from older Americans as the pandemic worsens.

Aging services providers have sounded the alarm for seven months, and the President provided only partial solutions. More than 150,000 people over 65 have died from COVID-19. Shutting down any hope of additional resources to fight the pandemic is surrendering to the virus, and recklessly endangering more lives.

As the pandemic continues to rage, providers are struggling to pay for tests and address severe staffing shortages. They are in desperate need of a federal lifeline to carry them through this crisis.

It is stunning that the President is ending the stimulus talks with congressional leaders, while declaring that the ‘best is yet to come’.”

We represent more than 5,000 aging-focused organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we address critical issues by blending applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building. We bring together the most inventive minds in our field to support older adults as they age wherever they call home. We make America a better place to grow old. For more information: www.leadingage.org.