By Kristi Denton Cohen

When reminded of the lonely deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, it’s natural to think, “Could this happen to me? Could I be so alone it would be more than a week before someone discovers I have died?”

It has happened in Marin, it’s just not publicized much. Here, a third of adults feel isolated or lonely. It is a national epidemic and one of the most urgent health threats facing older adults. It can lead to increased depression, cognitive decline and poor immune function.

When we retire or lose close friends and family or face financial insecurity — which is more common here than many suspect — isolation can spiral. As part of the Celebration of Older Americans Month, the Marin Commission on Aging recently co-hosted a Forum with the Emeritus Students of the College of Marin group called “The Power of Connection: Creating, Building and Sustaining Community as We Age.”

Many who attended came away inspired to help all stuck in that spiral and make sure we sustain community as we age.

It’s a bittersweet theme this year. Some of the proposed federal cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services may impact many older adults here — not just those with low income.

Some history: The Commission on Aging is federally mandated by the Older Americans Act, established in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson, to advise Area Agencies on Aging around the country. It aims to ensure older Americans live safely, independently and with dignity in their communities as long as possible.

The law offers crucial support and services, such as transportation assistance; home-delivered and congregate meals; programs to address social isolation; and caregiver respite, among others.

It was supposed to be renewed in December. It had bipartisan support. Due to funding debates and political complexities, it was put on hold. Now the plan is to potentially split the list of programs into two federal agencies. I think this would undermine the strength of the cohesive delivery system established by Congress.

One part —the meals programs, which includes the Meals on Wheels nonprofit organization — would go to the Administration for Children and Families. The rest — if they continue to be funded — would be sent to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which is facing its own crisis.

This dismantling could severely impact programs and services, such as those offered by Marin’s Area Agency on Aging program (funded with Older Americans Act money) as well as 622 others serving millions of older Americans and their family caregivers around the country.

For example, Marin’s ombudsman program would be reduced by more than 25%. That group investigates the neglect or abuse of residents at long-term care facilities.

Health promotion and disease prevention programs, such as the fall prevention program, could be zeroed out.

There are threats to funding for elder-abuse awareness campaigns and financial abuse specialist teams. Those teams work on cases of elder financial fraud and scams and teach people how to avoid them, while investigating the perpetrators.

Support for family caregivers could also be jeopardized. They contribute far more long-term care services and hours than any formal government program. The act funds respite, training and support for them to help navigate their caregiving roles.

I believe that all these programs are more effective when integrated into the single delivery system as originally established by Congress, not by being separated. That is not an efficient move.

Right now, all of us should build our power of connection to help prevent this from happening. Older adults — and our families and friends — represent a significant voting block here in Marin and across the nation.

If we reach out to our congressional representatives, including our most supportive ones, and motivate our friends and families nationwide to do so, it will help slow the process. It gives members of Congress, regardless of their party affiliation, time to take a breath,think about the impact of these cuts on their constituents and turn this around.

As author John Irving once said, “If you want to protect something, you need to take care of it.” Taking care of it together is what will sustain us.

Kristi Denton Cohen, of Mill Valley, is chair of the Marin County Commission on Aging.