A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found that 8 in 10 Americans support implementing age caps for members of Congress, alongside term limits, reflecting broad bipartisan consensus on the issue.

The polling results come as Congress considers legislation related to aging Americans and support services. Two bills have been introduced that would address care for older adults who wish to remain in their homes rather than move to institutional care facilities.

The Home and Community-Based Services Access Act aims to make home and community-based services a guaranteed Medicaid benefit, expanding access to care options that allow seniors to age in place. The legislation would provide federal backing for services that help older adults maintain independence in their own homes.

A companion measure, the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act, focuses on supporting caregivers and direct care workers who provide essential services to aging Americans. The bill addresses workforce challenges in the home care sector, which has faced staffing shortages and retention issues.

The legislative proposals respond to demographic trends showing that most Americans prefer to age in their own homes rather than in nursing homes or other institutional settings. Home-based care options are often less expensive than institutional care while allowing greater independence for recipients.

Both the polling data on congressional age limits and the aging-related legislation reflect ongoing national conversations about age, governance, and care as the U.S. population continues to age.