Delgado Introduces Legislation to Benefit Seniors
Last week, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado announced the introduction of two bills aimed at keeping seniors safe at home, whether in a facility or private residence.
The bipartisan Keeping Seniors Safe from COVID-19 Through Home Design Act directs a study on how to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Specifically, the study would examine housing features, such as updated HVAC systems, motion sensor sinks, and expanded outdoor spaces, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in adult living facilities. “Nursing homes in upstate New York have been hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreaks we’ve seen in adult living facilities across NY-19 and our country are heartbreaking. In addition to increased financial assistance and access to testing, it is critically important that we determine what safety improvements can be made to protect our loved ones,” said Rep. Delgado.
The Senior Accessible Housing Act empowers seniors to make the decision about where they would like to live out their older years by providing a lifetime $30,000 tax credit to cover the costs associated with aging-in-place modifications to their homes. The tax credit would be refundable and transferable to allow those on a fixed budget to take advantage of the credit immediately. “Many seniors would prefer to live independently in the comfort of their own homes but there are certain practical factors that often prevent families from accessing this option. These measures will help keep more seniors safe and comfortable at home, which is increasingly important as folks endure isolation from their families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Delgado.