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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.
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To highlight Intergenerational Week, the City of Dunedin’s Committee on Aging recently held its annual Creative Expressions Contest. Dozens of young people entered essays, poems, and artwork on the theme of “My Favorite Older Person”. The winners were Ana Duran/1st place, Ariella Willingham/2nd place and Ben Conner/3rd place. The young people received a variety of prizes including gift cards supplied by the Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas. We are so proud of all the contest participants who took the time to appreciate the value that seniors bring to their lives! Watch this video to learn more about 13-year-old Ana Duran and her grandmother Juana Gonzalez who is sixty-five. |
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