View source for Older Americans Act

{{Short description|Federal initiative aiming to provide services to older adults}}
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| align=center colspan=2 style="background: #f0f0f0" | '''''Older Americans Act of 1965'''''
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| width=25% | <small>Long title:</small>
| <small>To provide assistance in the development of new or improved programs to help older persons through grants to the States for community planning and services and for training, through research, development, or training project grants, and to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an operating agency to be designated as the ‘‘Administration on Aging’’. </small>
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The '''Older Americans Act of 1965''' ({{USPL|89|73}}, {{USStat|79|218}}) was the first federal level initiative aimed at providing comprehensive services for older adults. It created the National Aging Network comprising the [[Administration on Aging]] on the federal level, State Units on Aging at the state level, and Area Agencies on Aging at the local level.<ref>[http://www.aoa.gov/AOARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/index.aspx ''Older Americans Act'' on Administration on Aging website, retrieved 7-7-2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530143133/http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/index.aspx |date=2009-05-30 }}</ref> The network provides funding—based primarily on the percentage of an area's population 60 and older—for nutrition and supportive home and community-based services, disease prevention/health promotion services, [[elder rights]] programs, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and the Native American Caregiver Support Program.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/Aging_Network/Index.aspx |title=Aging Network |access-date=2009-11-06 |archive-date=2009-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826134416/http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/Aging_Network/Index.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Colello |first1=Kirsten J. |last2=Napili |first2=Angela |title=Older Americans Act: Overview and Funding |date=November 14, 2018 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |location=Washington, DC |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43414.pdf |access-date=23 November 2018}}</ref>

The Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 14, 1965.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Peters, Gerhard |author2=Woolley, John T |date=July 14, 1965 |title=Lyndon B. Johnson: "Remarks at the Signing of the Older Americans Act.," |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/241575 |work=The American Presidency Project |publisher=University of California - Santa Barbara}}</ref>

In 2016, Congress reauthorized the Act in its entirety, effective through FY 2019.<ref name="hhs">[https://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t050517a.html Testimony in Senate Subcommittee hearing, May 2005.]</ref> In March 2020, the Act was reauthorized through 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Elder Care: Older Americans Act reauthorized|url=https://cumberlink.com/news/local/neighbors/elder_care/elder-care-older-americans-act-reauthorized/article_041aafa8-a2aa-57df-8a97-c869029b9e2d.html|last=Law|first=Karen Kaslow Keystone Elder|website=The Sentinel|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref>

==Overview==
The OAA was passed as a part of [[Lyndon Johnson]]'s [[Great Society]] reforms. It followed closely behind the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964|Civil Rights Act]] and the [[Economic Opportunity Act]] which included many similarly structured programs, based around a centralized network of funding for a decentralized (community level) service delivery system. The OAA was a response to Congressional concerns about the lack of community social services for [[senior citizens]].<ref name="hhs"/>

Funding for many Great Society programs as well as Johnson’s political capital, dwindled during the Vietnam War. Some programs and agencies were dismantled by later administrations, such as Nixon’s and Ford’s slow dissolution of the Office of Economic Opportunity. Other programs, such as those under the OAA, Medicare, Medicaid, and initiatives in the arts and humanities continue to survive.

The stated purpose of the OAA is to ensure equal opportunity to the fair and free enjoyment of: adequate income in retirement; the best possible physical and mental health services without regard to economic status; suitable housing; restorative and long term care; opportunity for employment; retirement in health, honor, and dignity; civic, cultural, educational and recreational participation and contribution; efficient community services; immediate benefit from proven research knowledge; freedom, independence, and the exercise of self-determination; and protection against abuse neglect and exploitation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aoa.gov/AOARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/oaa_full.asp#_Toc153957785 |title=Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-08-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821004316/http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/oaa_full.asp#_Toc153957785 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Legislative process ==
Representative [[John E. Fogarty]] (D-RI) introduced legislation on January 27, 1965, as H.R. 3708.  The bill moved through the House and was referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor in March 1965. It passed the House on March 31 on a 395 to 1 roll call vote.  The bill established an [[Administration on Aging]] (AoA)  within the [[Department of Health, Education and Welfare]] (HEW).

In the Senate, H.R.3708 was introduced by [[Lister Hill]] (D-AL).  On June 16, the Senate passed H.R. 3708 by a roll call vote of 72 to 5. On July 6, 1965, the House agreed to the Senate’s version of H.R. 3708.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://acsc.lib.udel.edu/exhibits/show/legislation/older-americans|title=Older Americans Act · The Legislation|website=acsc.lib.udel.edu|access-date=2016-04-06}}</ref>

==Structure==
The act is divided into seven titles.
*'''Title I''' is a declaration of objectives.
*'''Title II''' establishes the [[Administration on Aging]] to carry out the provisions of the act.
*'''Title III''' provides federal funding for state agencies on aging and establishes the nutrition program. The nutrition program provides nutritional services, such as congregate and home-delivered meals, and is the largest expenditure of the OAA. This title also mandates the creation of corresponding state agencies before states may be eligible for this funding.
*'''Title IV''' creates a number of specific projects related to the objectives of the act. These include healthcare service in rural areas, computer training, civic engagement, and [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] programs.
*'''Title V''' establishes a program for engaging low-income senior citizens in community service employment and volunteer opportunities.
*'''Title VI''' establishes grants for certain Native American-focused programs on aging.
*'''Title VII''' creates state grants for "vulnerable elder rights protection" programs.

==Demographics==
{{expand section|date=January 2011}}
No one over age 60 can be denied services from OAA programs, except on the discretion of the state's State Unit on Aging which may impose more restrictive criteria.<ref name="Hawaii, Kupuna Care Program">http://www. payingforseniorcare.com/longtermcare/resources/hawaii_kapuna_care.html</ref> In FY 2008 these initiatives provided services to nearly 3 million people, and for FY 2011 the federal appropriation for all programs is $1.9 billion.<ref name="nhpf.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nhpf.org/library/details.cfm/2626|title = Older Americans Act of 1965: Programs and Funding}}</ref> A disproportionate number of seniors receiving services (27%) are below the poverty line (compared to 9.7% of the general population over age 60).<ref name="nhpf.org"/> Recipients of services under OAA are more likely to be female (71% vs. 57% of persons over 60). African Americans are over represented among OAA recipients and all other minorities are under represented. Recipients are also almost twice as likely to be rural, more likely to live alone, and on average have less income, less education, and are less healthy than those persons in the general population aged 60 and over.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aoa.gov/about/legbudg/current_budg/docs/AoAOnlinePerformanceAppendix012508Final.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-10-01 |archive-date=2009-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116001126/http://www.aoa.gov/about/legbudg/current_budg/docs/AoAOnlinePerformanceAppendix012508Final.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Programs created==
* Administration on Aging (AoA) established under the Department of Health and Human Services as the federal level advocate for the aging population, and coordinator for service delivery to the elderly
*National Eldercare Locator Service a toll free hotline for identifying community resources
*Support Services to promote independence with regard to transportation, home care, legal aid, case management, and adult day care,
*Nutrition Programs including congregate and home delivered meals
*National Family Caregiver Support Program to provide respite services, education, training, and counseling to seniors providing kinship care, and to the caregivers of seniors
*Health Promotion providing educational services, counseling and consultation
*Aging and Disability Resource Centers to facilitate the dissemination of information on available resources
*The Older American Community Service Employment Act (OAA Title V) which works with the Department of Labor to provide employment opportunities for seniors
*Grants to Tribal Organizations
*The Long-term Care Ombudsman Program
*Elder Abuse, neglect, and exploitation public education services

==Older Americans Act Nutrition Program==
The [[Administration on Aging]] (AoA) provides funding for nutrition services, including home-delivered meals and congregate meals, to older adults throughout the United States as authorized by Title III-C of the [[Older Americans Act]] (OAA).<ref>{{cite web |title=Nutrition Services |url=https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services |website=Administration for Community Living |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref> The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program, also known as the Senior Nutrition Program, aims to reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; promote health and well-being; and promote socialization among older adult aged 60 and older who are in social and economic need. All meals served using OAA funds must meet the following nutrition quality standards:
* Follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
* Provide at least one-third of the Dietary Reference Intakes
* Adhere to state and local food safety guidelines
* Appeal to older adults

According to the 2021 National Survey of OAA Participants, 51% of participants live alone, 57% of participants are 75 years or older, and over 50% of participants report that one home-delivered or congregate meal provides 50% or more of their total daily food intake.<ref>{{cite web |title=AGing, Independence, and Disability (AGID) Program Data Portal |url=https://agid.acl.gov/ |website=Administration for Community Living |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref> In March 2022, AoA celebrated the Senior Nutrition Program's 50th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senior Nutrition Program 50th Anniversary |url=https://acl.gov/snp50 |website=Administration for Community Living |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=HHS Blog: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act Senior Nutrition Program |url=https://acl.gov/news-and-events/announcements/hhs-blog-celebrating-50th-anniversary-older-americans-act-senior |website=Administration for Community Living |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref> AoA also funds the National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging, which supports OAA senior nutrition programs and stakeholders in providing high-quality services, addressing current and emerging issues, and identifying opportunities to enhance the program.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://acl.gov/senior-nutrition/about-us |website=National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

==Amendments to 1965 Act==
Chronological amendments and revisions to the Older Americans Act of 1965.
{|style="border:1px solid gray; align:left; width:70%" cellspacing=3 cellpadding=0
|-style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center; background:#6FF; color:black;"
! style=" border-bottom:1.5px solid black"|Date of Enactment
! style=" border-bottom:1.5px solid black"|Public Law Number
! style=" border-bottom:1.5px solid black"|U.S. Statute Citation
! style=" border-bottom:1.5px solid black"|U.S. Legislative Bill
! style=" border-bottom:1.5px solid black"|U.S. Presidential Administration
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|July 1, 1967
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|90|42}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|81|106}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|90|H.R.|10730}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Lyndon B. Johnson
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|September 17, 1969
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|91|69}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|83|108}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|91|H.R.|11235}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Richard M. Nixon
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|March 22, 1972
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|92|258}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|86|88}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|92|S.|1163}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Richard M. Nixon
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|November 28, 1975
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|94|135}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|89|713}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|94|H.R.|3922}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Gerald R. Ford
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|October 18, 1978
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|95|478}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|92|1513}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|95|H.R.|12255}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Jimmy E. Carter
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|April 1, 1986
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|99|269}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|100|78}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|99|H.R.|2453}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Ronald W. Reagan
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|November 29, 1987
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|100|175}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|101|926}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|100|H.R.|1451}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Ronald W. Reagan
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|September 30, 1992
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|102|375}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|106|1195}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|102|H.R.|2967}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|George H.W. Bush
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|November 13, 2000
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|106|501}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|114|2226}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|106|H.R.|782}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|William J. Clinton
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5;"|October 17, 2006
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|109|365}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|120|2522}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|109|H.R.|6197}}
| style="border-bottom:1px solid gray; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|George W. Bush
|-
| style="border-bottom:1.5px solid black; background:#F5F5F5;"|April 23, 2007
| style="border-bottom:1.5px solid black; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USPL|110|19}}
| style="border-bottom:1.5px solid black; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{usstat|121|84}}
| style="border-bottom:1.5px solid black; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|{{USBill|110|S.|1002}}
| style="border-bottom:1.5px solid black; background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|George W. Bush
|}

==See also==
*[[Administration on Aging]]
*[[Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967]]
*[[Gerontology]]
*[[Great Society]]
*[[Social Security (United States)]]
*[[United States Senate Special Committee on Aging]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-829/uslm/COMPS-829.xml Older Americans Act of 1965] as amended ([https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-829/pdf/COMPS-829.pdf PDF]/[https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/COMPS-829 details]) in the [[United States Government Publishing Office|GPO]] [https://www.govinfo.gov/help/comps Statute Compilations collection]
* [https://www.govinfo.gov/link/statute/89/public/73?link-type=pdf&.pdf Older Americans Act of 1965] as enacted ([https://www.govinfo.gov/link/statute/89/public/73?link-type=details details]) in the [[United States Statutes at Large|US Statutes at Large]]
* [https://www.congress.gov/bill/89th-congress/house-bill/3708 H.R. 3708] on [[Congress.gov]]
* [http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/resources/History.aspx Historical Evolution of Program for Older Americans] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309025641/http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/resources/History.aspx |date=2010-03-09 }}
* [http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/edu/hedptl6-23.000/hedptl6-23.htm Transcript] of House of Representatives committee hearings on the 2000 re-authorization of the act
* [http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/How_To_Find/Agencies/find_agencies.aspx State Unit on Aging/Area Agency on Aging Finder] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016084929/http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/OAA/How_To_Find/Agencies/Find_Agencies.aspx |date=2009-10-16 }}
* [http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/index.aspx Administration on Aging and Disabilities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628174029/http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Index.aspx |date=2009-06-28 }}
* [https://nasua.org/ National Association of States United on Aging]
* {{cite web |url= http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=27399 |title= Lyndon B. Johnson: "Statement by the President on the Members of the Advisory Committee on Older Americans.," December 9, 1965 |author1=Peters, Gerhard |author2=Woolley, John T |publisher = University of California - Santa Barbara |work= The American Presidency Project}}
* [http://acsc.lib.udel.edu/exhibits/show/legislation/older-americans The Great Society Congress]


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[[Category:United States elder law]]
[[Category:Ageism law]]
[[Category:Acts of Congress]]