BERKELEY – Facing potential federal funding cuts, Ocean County officials and senior advocates are sounding the alarm about what’s at stake for one of the state’s largest elderly populations.
Maria LaFace, Director of Ocean County Senior Services, led a public hearing at the Bayville VFW during Older Americans Month to gather testimony and warn of sweeping changes under consideration at the federal level. Many of those in attendance were community providers who assist seniors.
Older Americans Act Ending?
At the heart of LaFace’s concern is the Older Americans Act (OAA), a landmark piece of legislation passed in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” initiative. The Act provides federal funding for services that help older adults remain in their homes and communities – programs like Meals on Wheels, home health aides, transportation, caregiver support, and legal aid.
“They understood that Social Security was available for retirees and they assumed at that point that would mean they were financially stable,” LaFace explained. “But what they identified was lacking was community support services. So, despite the money that you may have as you age, you’re going to need supportive services.”
The Act was designed to provide community services through programs and funding divided among the states.
But a recent budget proposal passed by the House of Representatives would restructure OAA funding by splitting it between Medicare, Medicaid, and the Administration for Children and Families. LaFace believes this would dilute the focus and effectiveness of services designed specifically for older adults.
“If they take all that money and they just put it with Children and Families, who do you think will get that money?” LaFace asked. “I hope I’m wrong but it’s going to be diluted – it’s not going to be solely for the population that Congress intended it to be.”
Community providers and representatives from local municipalities gather in Bayville to listen as Ocean County Senior Services outlines urgent concerns over potential federal funding cuts impacting programs for older adults. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Budget Already Strained
Ocean County operates with a total senior services budget of approximately $9 million – $5 million in federal funds, $1.5 million from the state, and the remainder provided by the county.
It might sound like a lot of money – but it’s not nearly enough as the county’s older population grows. Calls to the Office of Senior Services have nearly doubled in recent years – from 6,000 in 2018 to over 11,000 so far this year. Meals on Wheels now has a waiting list for the first time ever.
When she questioned Jim Sigurdson, the executive director of Meals on Wheels about the waiting list, LaFace was surprised by the answer. Roughly 40 people come off the program each year, with 80 putting in new applications each month. People are also living longer and remain on the home delivered meal program for 20 plus years.
LaFace said much of the need stems from financial insecurity. “Whether it’s food, housing, or transportation, it all comes down to the same thing – seniors not having enough money to make ends meet,” she said.
Judy Noonan, confidential aide to the Manchester mayor shared some of the challenges local seniors have. “I’ve had to reach out to senior services and it was an education for me,” shared Noonan. “We have mentally ill people on the street. I have people living in cars which really broke my heart. They could not get into a hotel because a voucher was refused.”
The shortage of home health aides continues to be a major barrier. According to an October 2024 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the direct care workforce is declining due to low wages, inconsistent hours, and limited benefits.
Utility bills are expected to rise across the board for everyone – and utility assistance programs may go by the wayside. Seniors who live in retirement communities are getting outpriced on their homeowner association fees as HOAs are now required to stash money away in their reserve accounts.
The federal Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which safeguards the health and well-being of residents in long-term care facilities, faces an uncertain future. The budget recently passed by Congress does not include any funding to keep the program in operation.
Many assume Medicaid cuts won’t affect seniors because they only receive Medicare. They’re wrong.
Medicaid – specifically New Jersey’s FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled (ABD) program – is a key funding source for home- and community-based care that keeps frail seniors out of institutions. It pays for services like personal care, adult day care, assisted living, and in-home modifications.
Eligibility for long-term care Medicaid is based on age, income, assets, and functional need. The proposed shift of Older Americans Act funding into Medicaid may mean those already struggling to qualify could face even more barriers.
Advocating For Seniors
LaFace said she’s doing everything possible to make sure federal legislators understand the stakes. She met with Representatives Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew earlier this year during a policy briefing in Washington, D.C.
Both voted to make the budget cuts, stating that the budget bill fully funds the programs to serve the populations they were designed to serve.
“My favorite part of this job is advocating for our seniors,” she said. “They deserve to age with dignity and support – not be collateral damage in a budget shuffle.”
Judy Noonan, confidential aide to the mayor of Manchester, shares emotional testimony about the growing struggles faced by local seniors, including homelessness, food insecurity, and lack of access to critical services. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
The Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently passed a resolution urging Congress to preserve the integrity of the Older Americans Act. They emphasized that dividing the funding risks creating a fragmented and inefficient system.
Commissioner Robert Arace, who serves as liaison to Senior Services said he is fully committed to ensuring services continue to exist, not only now, but in the future. “Those are including Meals on Wheels, caregiving support maintenance services, elderly prevention, transportation services, senior nutrition programs, access to health and wellness resources and programs that promote independence and aging in place,” he said.
Another resolution passed by the board accepted funding for the 2025 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which provides low-income seniors with fresh produce from local markets – a small but impactful initiative that could also be at risk under the proposed budget changes.
For more information about available senior services in Ocean County, residents can contact the Office of Senior Services at 732-929-2091.
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