Letter to Congress from Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging, June 24, 2025

Letter to Members of Congress: We are gerontological social work researchers with expertise in productive aging; that is, activities that produce goods or services for society, whether paid for or not. We mainly focus on risk and protective factors to employment, caregiving, and volunteering in later life, and the many health, economic, and social outcomes. Attached are peer reviewed scientific journal articles and policy briefs that underscore the importance of social policies that enable older adults to contribute to society through productive aging. In simple terms, increasing opportunities for older adults to remain productively engaged through work, volunteering, and caregiving is good for individuals, families, the economy, and society at large. Briefly, we outline a few research findings as they relate to Protecting Older Workers Against Age Discrimination Act (POWADA, S. 1820), Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act (S. 830), The Older Americans Act, namely the Senior Community Service Employment Program, and Civic Engagement.