March 2, 2022 Washington, DC — Comment from Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, on President Biden’s State of the Union remarks regarding much-needed supports and services for older adults and families:

“LeadingAge is gratified that President Biden’s State of the Union address shows that the Administration is still prioritizing home care, long-term care and affordable housing for older adults, who have suffered 75% of all COVID deaths.  

One of the starkest lessons of the pandemic is that this nation is not ready to serve its rapidly aging population.  If the past two years have shown us anything, it is that our country’s aging services system is in desperate need of an overhaul. 

Mission-driven providers like LeadingAge members are committed to providing quality care and community services for older adults–but the threshold question is when will the government finally adequately fund these critical supports for millions of older Americans and their families?”

We represent more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership, which now includes the providers of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America, encompasses the continuum of services for people as they age, including those with disabilities. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit leadingage.org.