Retirement Concerns on Aging ​

Are you getting to that point in life where age has become a concern? Read on!!! As a professional focused on supporting older adults, I am deeply concerned about the federal administration's decision to dismantle the Administration for Community Living (ACL). This action sends a discouraging message to millions of seniors across the nation—that their well-being is not a priority. The ACL has been a vital agency dedicated to supporting older adults and people with disabilities. The ACL's role extends beyond just advocacy; it empowers states, ensures civil rights protections, and supports systemic change through various programs. These include University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and Protection and Advocacy systems. The administration’s move to eliminate the ACL threatens to disperse these programs across other agencies or eliminate them entirely, which could have devastating consequences for the disability community and older Americans. There is a growing call from Congress and advocacy groups for critical oversight of this decision. The House Education and Workforce Committee has introduced a resolution requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide documentation related to the ACL’s elimination. Bipartisan support is seen as essential to protect the programs created through a bipartisan effort in 2012 that currently aid millions of older adults and people with disabilities. In summary, dismantling the ACL puts at risk the services, protections, and advocacy efforts that millions rely on for maintaining independence and quality of life. Protecting the ACL is crucial to ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities continue to receive the support and respect they deserve.