Paul Downey Testifies at Senate Hearing on Older Americans ACT

“Our congregate meal numbers at the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center have increased each month – to almost 700 meals daily. Nutrition is the core service around which we provide case management, life-long learning and civic engagement. We then leverage our community partnerships to provide an array of additional services – at no cost to us or our clients. Our partners include Sharp Healthcare, the largest healthcare provider in San Diego County, and the College of Health and Human Services at San Diego State University. About 30 SDSU students representing five different disciplines – social work, gerontology, nursing, public health, and speech and language -- and their professors are outstationed at the Wellness Center. Our seniors receive more services, students learn about working with the elderly and professors have research opportunities.

This is what Older Americans Act dollars were intended to do -- leverage other resources beyond merely providing a meal at locations where seniors gather each day. The next reauthorization must strengthen our ability -- at the local level – to do this kind of leveraging. This can be accomplished by letting those in the aging network closest to the senior determine what is best in each of our communities.”

Click here to read the full testimony.