Sen. Sanders Cites Need to Expand Help for Older Americans (video)

Millions of Seniors Go Hungry

Millions of Seniors Go Hungry, GAO Finds
A study for Sen. Bernie Sanders found that nearly 4 million low-income seniors – more than 1 in 5 – do not know where their next meal is coming from.

The Government Accountability Office found that fewer than 10 percent of low-income seniors who needed a meal delivered to their homes in 2013 received one. One in three low-income seniors age 60-69 is what the government defines as “food insecure,” yet fewer than 5 percent receive a meal at home or at a senior center. Elderly people with a disability, minorities and seniors living on less than $10,000 a year were even more likely to be hungry.

The GAO study requested by Sanders updated findings in a 2008 report on the unmet need for Older Americans Act services. First passed by Congress in 1965 and this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Older Americans Act provides essential services for seniors like nutrition programs, job training, caregiver support, transportation, and protection from abuse and financial exploitation.

The report out today noted that while the number of older adults has increased from 56 to 63 million, funding provided to states has gone down since 2009.

more at link
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/millions-of-seniors-go-hungry-gao-finds

GAO Report
http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/670738.pdf

Read the letter to Senate appropriators
http://www.budget.senate.gov/democratic/public/_cache/files/df78c7d9-3d63-4fbd-9508-08f3e999997e/oaa.fy2016.pdf