Sen. Kelly Secures Funds for Seniors Essential Services in COVID-19 Relief Package

Includes support for meal delivery, vaccine outreach, and caregiver aid

A key proposal introduced by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly to allocate nearly $1.5 billion to the aging network to continue providing essential services will be included in the federal COVID-19 relief package. The Kelly-backed proposal introduced last week ensures continued federal support for seniors such as meal delivery, vaccine outreach and programming, and caregiver support.

“The COVID-19 relief package includes provisions that would greatly benefit Americans 50+. We thank Senator Kelly for championing important funding to continue and strengthen critical programs for older adults, including caregiver supports, home and community based services, COVID-19 vaccine outreach and addressing social isolation,” said Dana Marie Kennedy, State Director for AARP Arizona. 

“Too many older Arizonans and their family members continue to struggle during this pandemic with little help from Washington. I’m grateful to hear that Senator Kelly is leading this effort to bring critical relief to Arizona seniors and area agencies serving older Arizonans, especially those living in underserved and rural communities,” said Dora Vasquez, Executive Director for the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans

The Continued Funding for Senior Services During COVID-19 Act, which will be incorporated in the COVID-19 relief bill, includes $460 million for vaccination outreach and other programming, $750 million for nutrition services, $44 million for evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion services, $145 million for caregiver support services, $25 million to carry out demonstrations and evaluations under the Act, including funding to support multigenerational engagement, and $10 million for the long-term care ombudsman program.

Kelly is a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He met with his Senior Citizens Advisory Group made up of leading seniors advocates from across the state who are advising him on issues facing Arizona seniors in recent weeks. Kelly has also volunteered with Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona delivering prepared meals to homebound seniors, seeing firsthand how this essential service supports Arizona seniors during the pandemic.