USAging Members Testify Before the Senate Aging Committee on Caregiving

• By: USAging
• On: 05/14/2026 15:50:39
• In: Policy & Advocacy

This week, two leaders from USAging member agencies, Karla Radka, President & CEO of the Senior Resource Alliance serving Central Florida, and Rebecca Preve, Executive Director of the Association on Aging in New York, testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Their testimonies highlighted the critical role Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) play in supporting caregivers and the older adults they care for, especially sandwich caregivers who are both raising children and caring for an aging relative.  

In their testimonies, both emphasized that additional funding and support are needed from Congress to continue effectively providing services and supports to the growing older adult population and those who care for them. They also highlighted the real-world impact of the Older Americans Act's National Family Caregiver Support Program by sharing stories of real caregivers and older adults whom the AAA supported with caregiver services.  

In response to a question from Chairman Scott (R-FL), Karla underscored her agency's work to ensure potential clients “know us before you need us” through outreach and education efforts. Rebecca also noted some of the technological innovations used by AAAs in New York to serve caregivers and older adults have been “a gamechanger,” including online platforms to assess caregiver intensity and to connect them to services and artificial intelligence applications that address older adult social isolation and other needs.  

Both witnesses also stressed the importance of reauthorizing and funding the OAA, as well as support for various USAging-endorsed bills, including the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act and the SENIOR Act.. Senators on the committee echoed their support for OAA reauthorization, including Chairman Scott (R-FL) and Ranking Member Gillibrand (D-NY), who are both co-sponsors of S. 2120.  

Congratulations to Karla and Becky on a job well done! Please click here to view the hearing in full and read witness testimonies.