Protecting Older Americans from Social Isolation Act of 2019

To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to reduce social isolation among older individuals. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Older Americans from Social Isolation Act of 2019 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) (1) in paragraph (30) by striking ; and (2) in paragraph (31) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) 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. . 3. Advisory council on health effects of social isolation Section 202 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3012 (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). . 4. Supportive services and senior centers Section 321(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3030d(a) (1) in paragraph (24) by striking and (2) by redesignating paragraph (25) as paragraph (26); and (3) 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 . 5. Demonstration projects (a) Demonstrations Section 411(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3032(a) (1) in paragraph (13) by striking and (2) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (15); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following: (14) projects that address negative health effects associated with social isolation among older adults; and . (b) Repeal Section 416 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3032e 6. Younger onset Alzheimer’s Disease (a) Definition of family caregiver Section 302(3) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3022(3) of any age an individual (b) Definition of resident Section 711(6) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3058(6) of any age individual

Summary: Protecting Older Americans from Social Isolation Act of 2019 This bill establishes an advisory committee, modifies certain functions of the Administration on Aging, and makes changes to grants and other activities to address the negative health effects associated with social isolation among older individuals. It also expands the scope of certain programs for caregivers of older adults to include caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease or similar neurological disorders of any age.