May 7, 2021 9:30 a.m.

Congressman Peter DeFazio has announced the release of over $18.6 million in funding for Older Americans Act programs as part of the American Rescue Plan which he strongly supported.

DeFazio said, “As a trained gerontologist, I know the tremendous positive impact of the critical programs the Older Americans Act provides”.

A release said as Older Americans Month begins, the funding focuses on programs to support Oregon seniors, with an emphasis on pandemic relief, including:

*$9.9 million for meals for older adults in Oregon

*$6.1 million for Home and Community Based Services

*Nearly $550,000 for evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention

*$1.9 million to help family caregivers support their loved ones

*Nearly $133,000 to safeguard the health and welfare of residents in Oregon’s long-term care facilities

Nationally, DeFazio said over $1.4 billion in funding for Older Americans Act programs were part of the American Rescue Plan.