How bad are cuts to senior programs?

Many senior Programs will close

Many senior programs eliminated

How bad are cuts to senior programs?

How bad are cuts to senior programs? Slashing Medicaid funding for seniors will result in lower payments to providers who serve seniors, with many senior programs to close or cuts in services to beneficiaries. It could especially damage the home and community-based care programs in many states. As a result, many senior programs would likely be eliminated, given the rapid growth of the older adult population.

Catholic Charities Cuts to Foster Grandparents & Senior Companions

Many senior Programs will close.

How bad are cuts to senior programs?

Many senior programs eliminated

The leaders of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio stated in a July 21 announcement that the Trump administration’s decision to withhold $200 million in AmeriCorps funding nationwide will lead to the dismantling of both the Foster Grandparents program and the Senior Companions program. Foster Grandparents serve in schools to help teachers, plus give older people a job they love with kids. Senior companions provide friendship, emotional support, and practical assistance to older adults, helping them maintain their independence and quality of life plus giving respite to exhausted caregivers

According to Catholic Charities, the programs contributed more than 55,000 hours of mentoring to 308 students across 21 schools in the previous year. They also provided 28,000 service hours to 148 older adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities who are at risk of isolation and disconnection from the community.

For decades, nonprofits and public funding have been closely linked, with the federal government providing substantial support to charities that help individuals in their communities. However, President Donald Trump’s policies are threatening to separate the two with a series of cuts to grant funding in the name of letting individual Americans tap into their “innate altruism” and make their donations.

Meals on Wheels Cut

Meals on Wheels cut

Reductions to Older Americans ACT Title 3 Nutrition

reductions home delivered & Congregate meals

End of nutrition meals for seniors

How bad are Cuts to senior programs?

Many senior Programs will close

Many senior programs eliminated

President Trump’s administration proposed significant cuts to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency that supports programs such as Meals on Wheels for older adults and people with disabilities.

Meals on Wheels programs for seniors have faced significant funding cuts, resulting in reduced services and longer waitlists. These cuts stem from various sources, including proposed reductions in federal discretionary spending and specific programs like the Older Americans Act Title III-C Nutrition Program. The cuts impact both home-delivered meals and congregate meal programs, affecting the availability of nutritious meals and social connections for seniors. 

Senior Health Promotion and Disease Prevention funding eliminated

Based on recent information, it appears that President Trump’s budget proposals have targeted cuts to programs related to falls prevention, particularly during the timeframe of his administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget.  This critical program develops practical tools for healthcare professionals to educate older adults on fall prevention. Falls are the number one cause of injuries and deaths from injuries among older adults and the nation is spending $80 billion to treat fall injuries annually, 71% of which is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid.¹ These costs are expected to exceed $101 billion in 2030.

The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (Preventive Health): Moved to CMS,(The various programs administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)., and funding was eliminated

Elder Abuse and Elder Rights Cut

Many senior programs eliminated

Many senior programs eliminated

How bad are Cuts to senior programs?

Elder rights for abuse: Moved to CMS and slashed to $5 million, eliminating the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Adult Protective Services support, and other elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation efforts.

Aging Network Support:  reduced by over 40% — potentially eliminating the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs):eliminated.

Other non-OAA ACL Aging Services: Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Lifespan Respite Care:  eliminated

How non-profit programs view these cuts

—A ‘SEA CHANGE’: Nonprofits say losing the federal government as a long-trusted partner could put even their strongest support systems at risk, with potentially “catastrophic” results.

— A DISAPPEARING SAFETY NET: In McDowell County, West Virginia, the birthplace of the Food Stamps Program, which many seniors depend on, nonprofits are already laying off staff or dipping into cash reserves.

How Elders and Aging Professionals Need to See it and ACT

How bad are Cuts to senior programs?

Do Something

Get out on the streets and protest, call your senators and representatives, and send messages to Congress. You say it does not affect me. What if you or your aging parent needs any of these programs now or in the future?

What can you do? Contact your Congressman and tell them that you do not agree with these cuts. Go to a town meeting if your congressman holds one. Join Indivisable. Together, we can solve this crisis in our democracy. If you feel paralyzed by fear or have not protested in some way about losing democracy to Trump, refuse to remain silent because if we lose due process, you could be on a plane to El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), or South Sudan for the rest of your life.

Find out more about Cathy Cress, MSW, at her websit