Home meals, caregiver aid, Medicare help: Advocates say all could vanish without action

By Managing Editor | May 27, 2025 |

AgeSmart, statewide agencies host Day of Action on May 28 to urge federal support

MASCOUTAH – A series of events at senior centers in the Southern Illinois area will take place on Wednesday, May 28, as Area Agencies on Aging, including AgeSmart Community Resources, rally in response to potential federal budget cuts that could dismantle key services for older adults. The events, organized under a statewide Day of Action, are designed to spotlight the consequences of underfunding the federal Older Americans Act (OAA)—a critical safety net for seniors and their caregivers.

AgeSmart Community Resources also plays a role in supporting the Mascoutah Senior Center by funding and coordinating key services that help older adults maintain their independence and well-being. Through the federal Older Americans Act, AgeSmart helps provide congregate meals, allowing seniors to enjoy nutritious food in a social setting. The organization also supports health and wellness classes, transportation to and from the center, and offers access to information on Medicare and long-term care planning. Additionally, AgeSmart ensures caregivers have access to resources and support.

Locally, AgeSmart will host events in the seven counties it serves—Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair, Randolph, and Washington—joining a coordinated effort led by the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging (I4A).

Joy Paeth, CEO of AgeSmart Community Resources, emphasized the seriousness of the situation. “I’ve been working in Illinois with older adults for 35 years, and I’ve never been so concerned about the system being dismantled like this,” Paeth said. “These are services that are safety nets. They’re essential—nutrition, transportation, caregiver support—things that keep people independent and at home rather than going to nursing homes.”

The Older Americans Act funds services that include home-delivered meals, transportation to medical appointments, support for family caregivers, in-home assistance, and counseling for Medicare. In 2024 alone, more than 471,000 Illinois residents were served through OAA-funded programs.

But looming federal budget proposals for 2026 suggest major reductions or even complete elimination of some of these lifeline services.

“Part of the challenge is that there’s so much noise in Washington right now that nobody’s hearing what’s going to be impacting older adults,” Paeth explained. “The remainder of the Older Americans Act could literally be zeroed out, especially parts under CMS. Once it’s gone, we won’t be able to replace it.”

Diane Slezak, president of I4A, echoed these concerns in an official press release, saying “This is a human crisis in slow motion. These aren’t luxury services—they are the bare essentials for dignity, survival, and independence. Our lawmakers must show they value older adults by fully funding the OAA before irreversible harm is done.”

Wednesday’s Day of Action events will serve as a platform to educate the public and put a human face on the abstract language of federal budgets and appropriations. Seniors, caregivers, community leaders, and citizens are encouraged to attend, learn, and take part in advocacy efforts by contacting their federal representatives.

“Even if you miss the May 28 event, it’s not too late,” Paeth added. “The budget is still going through the legislative process. The Senate can still make changes and the House will have to respond. This is an ongoing fight.”

Paeth also noted that Area Agencies on Aging like AgeSmart not only fund and manage services under the OAA, but also provide direct assistance with Medicare navigation, particularly during open enrollment periods—another resource at risk if funding is cut.

To learn more about local events or how to advocate for older Americans, residents can contact AgeSmart Community Resources at (618) 222-2561 or email [email protected].

[Editor’s note: This story was published by the Mascoutah Herald on May 23, 2025. The Mascoutah Herald, and the Illinois Business Journal, are both part of the Better Newspapers Inc. media family.]