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Chairman Rick Scott, Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand Announce Hearing on Connecting Seniors and Communities During the Holiday Season Through Older Americans Act Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3, Chairman Rick Scott and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will convene a hearing titled “Aging in Place: The Impact of Community During the Holidays.” This hearing will explore how strong community networks can support older adults during the holiday season when isolation peaks, offering a look at how these support systems help seniors stay connected, engaged, and independent. The witnesses will highlight successful programs supported by the Older Americans Act (OAA) and showcase how nonprofits, service organizations, and faith-based groups help families, including those in the “sandwich generation,” navigate increased caregiving demands throughout the holiday season.

Building on the committee’s previous work, including its March hearing on senior loneliness and its July and November hearings on OAA programs, the chairman and ranking member will focus on practical, community-driven solutions that strengthen social ties and reduce reliance on institutional care. This hearing continues the committee’s bipartisan commitment to advancing programs that promote dignity, independence, and a better quality of life for America’s aging community. During the holidays, when community matters most, these support systems become even more essential to ensuring that older adults feel included, valued, and part of the places they call home.

Witnesses for the hearing include:

  • Jason Resendez, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance for Caregiving
  • Alison Barkoff, Hirsh Health Law & Policy Associate Professor and Director, Hirsh Health Law & Policy Program, George Washington University

WHEN: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

3:00PM ET

WHERE: Senate Hart Office Building, SH-216

WATCH: Live broadcast available online HERE.

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