Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Older Americans from Social Isolation Act of 2019”.
Protecting Older Americans from Social Isolation Act of 2019
A BILL
To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to reduce social isolation among older individuals.
Sec. 2 Increased focus of Assistant Secretary on health effects of social isolation
Section 202(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3012(a)) is amended—
in paragraph (30) by striking “; and” and inserting a semicolon;
in paragraph (31) by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(32) develop objectives, priorities, and a long-term plan for supporting State and local efforts involving education about, prevention of, detection of, and response to negative health effects associated with social isolation among older individuals.”
Sec. 3 Advisory council on health effects of social isolation
Section 202 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3012) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(h)
“(1) The Assistant Secretary shall convene an advisory council on negative health effects associated with social isolation with aging network stakeholders, including caregivers, and select members in a manner that ensures geographic diversity of the members—
“(A) to review and evaluate efforts to address negative health effects associated with social isolation among older individuals; and
“(B) to identify challenges, solutions, and best practices related to such efforts.
“(2) The advisory council convened under paragraph (1) shall—
“(A) ensure consideration of consumer-directed care models; and
“(B) submit a report to Congress on its findings.
“(3) The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply with respect to the advisory council convened under paragraph (1).”
Sec. 4 Supportive services and senior centers
Section 321(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3030d(a)) is amended—
in paragraph (24) by striking “and” at the end;
by redesignating paragraph (25) as paragraph (26); and
by inserting after paragraph (24) the following:
“(25) services that promote or support social connectedness and reduce negative health effects associated with social isolation; and”
Sec. 5 Demonstration projects
in paragraph (13) by striking “and” at the end;
by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (15); and
by inserting after paragraph (13) the following:
“(14) projects that address negative health effects associated with social isolation among older adults; and”
Repeal— Section 416 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3032e) is repealed.
Sec. 6 Younger onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Definition of “family caregiver”— Section 302(3) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3022(3)) is amended by inserting “of any age” after “an individual”.
Definition of “resident”— Section 711(6) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3058(6)) is amended by inserting “of any age” after “individual”.