The Older Americans Act: 60 Years of Federal Aging Policy

By Taylor Turner, MPH

Director of Federal Affairs

Today, July 14, 2025, marks the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA)—a landmark law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. At a time when there were few formal programs addressing the needs of older adults, the OAA was a significant step forward in recognizing and supporting the right of older Americans to age with dignity, health, and independence in their communities.^[i]

Background

The Older Americans Act emerged in response to growing national concern about the lack of accessible social services and supports for the nation’s aging population.^[ii] As the number of older adults increased, it became clear that better infrastructure and resources were needed to support this group. The law created a framework for delivering services through grants to states, supporting community planning, social services, research and demonstration projects, and training in the field of aging.^[iii] 

From the onset, the OAA does not impose strict income eligibility requirements, unlike Medicaid. Instead, it was designed to serve individuals aged 60 and older, with a focus on those facing the greatest economic and social challenges. Instead, services are targeted to older adults living below the poverty line and those experiencing non-economic challenges such as disabilities, language barriers, or social, cultural, or geographic isolation that limits their ability to live independently.[iv]

The law also created the Administration on Aging (AoA), which was charged with overseeing these programs and serving as the federal focal point for issues affecting older Americans. Over the decades, the OAA has been reauthorized multiple times, with updates that expanded and strengthened the services offered.^[v] The AoA’s mission and operations were housed under the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which oversaw the delivery of OAA services through a robust national network: 56 State Units on Aging (SUAs), more than 600 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), 281 tribal organizations, 1 Native Hawaiian organization representing 400 tribes, and nearly 20,000 community-based service providers.[vi]

Programs and Services Under the OAA

The majority of OAA funding falls under Title III of the Act, which supports a broad array of state and local programs, including transportation, case management, homemaker and personal care assistance, adult day care, and legal aid. Nutrition is a major focus: the OAA funds both home-delivered and congregate meals, including through well-known programs like Meals on Wheels. It also invests in evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention.^[vii] 

To respond to changing community needs, states have flexibility to transfer funds among its Title III programs to address local needs. State Units on Aging (SUAs) may transfer up to 40% of funds between congregate and home-delivered meal programs, with the possibility of an additional 10% transfer pending federal approval. Additionally, SUAs may move up to 30% of funds between these nutrition programs and supportive services. However, states must retain control over these transfers and cannot delegate authority to Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) or other entities. [viii]

The law also played a critical role in supporting caregivers. Nearly half of all caregivers are over the age of 50 and face increased risks to their own health and well-being. The OAA addresses these needs though programs such as the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Lifespan Respite Care Program, which provide counseling, respite care, training, and other vital supports.[ix]

In fiscal year 2023 alone, OAA Title III programs provided over 180 million home-delivered meals, more than 2 million hours of case management, homemaker, and personal care services, and assisted nearly 800,000 caregivers.[x] The reach of these programs is particularly significant for underserved communities, as nearly 40% of those receiving select OAA services in 2023 were living in poverty, 33% were people of color, and 29% resided in rural areas. [xi]

Additionally, the OAA funds critical services such as elder abuse prevention and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which advocates for residents in nursing homes and other long-term care settings.[xii]

A Restructuring in Aging Policy

In March 2025, the Department for Health and Human Services (HSS) announced a major departmental restructuring that could reshape the federal landscape foraging policy. Under the plan, the ACL is slated to be dissolved, with its functions integrated into the newly established Administration for Children, Families, and Communities[TT1] , the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).[xiii]

While the goal is improved coordination across age groups and services, this[TT2]  proposed shift has raised concerns among stakeholders about how aging services will be prioritized and coordinated in the absence of a standalone agency focused exclusively on older adults.

Reauthorization of the OAA

The Older Americans Act (OAA) has been reauthorized multiple times to reflect the evolving needs of older adults, with the most recent reauthorization occurring in 2020. In the current 119th Congress, the OAA was reintroduced as S.2120 – Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 on June 18, 2025, by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA). The bill has strong bipartisan support with cosponsors including Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).[xiv]

S.2120 proposes reauthorization of the OAA through fiscal years 2026–2030, and includes provisions to enhance health outcomes, support family caregivers, improve services for Native elders, and strengthen the long-term care ombudsman program, among other reforms. It also proposes funding innovations like medically tailored meals and improvements to multipurpose senior centers.

Looking Ahead

As the U.S. population continues to age, with the U.S. Census Bureau predicting that older adults—ages 65 and older—are expected to outnumber children by 2029, [xv] the relevance and importance of the OAA will only grow. Over the past 60 years, the Act has evolved from a pioneering idea into a cornerstone of American aging policy. Its continued reauthorization and modernization will be essential to ensuring that older adults and their caregivers can thrive in their communities with the dignity, support, and opportunity they deserve.

At Indigo Hill Strategies, we are proud to partner with organizations working to advance the goals of the Older Americans Act—expanding access to essential services, supporting family caregivers, and ensuring that aging policies reflect the realities and dignity of today’s older adults. As the aging landscape evolves, we remain committed to helping our clients shape and strengthen the systems that support aging well.

^[i] USAging. Older Americans Act. N.d. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.usaging.org/olderamericansact

^[ii] Meals on Wheels America. The Older Americans Act. Updated January 2023. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/the-older-americans-act-overview_jan2023_final-1.pdf

^[iii] Administration for Community Living. Older Americans Act. Updated on February 13,2025. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://acl.gov/about-acl/authorizing-statutes/older-americans-act

[iv] Colello, K.J.  & Napili, A. Congress.gov. Older Americans Act: Overview and Funding. May 6, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R43414

^[v] USAging. Old Americans Act Reauthorization Toolkit. 2016. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.usaging.org/files/Key%20Milestones%20through%202016%20final%20text%20FINAL.pdf

[vi] Administration for Community Living. Older Americans Act. Updated on February 13,2025. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://acl.gov/about-acl/authorizing-statutes/older-americans-act

^[vii] Freed, M, Cubanski J, & Neumann T. Kaiser Family Foundation. What to Know About the Older Americans Act and the Services it Provides to Older Adults. June 3, 2025. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/what-to-know-about-the-older-americans-act-and-the-services-it-provides-to-older-adults/

[viii] Colello, K.J.  & Napili, A. Congress.gov. Older Americans Act: Overview and Funding. May 6, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R43414

[ix] Administration for Community Living. Support to Caregivers. Modified November 21, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers

[x] Freed, M, Cubanski J, & Neumann T. Kaiser Family Foundation. What to Know About the Older Americans Act and the Services it Provides to Older Adults. June 3, 2025. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/what-to-know-about-the-older-americans-act-and-the-services-it-provides-to-older-adults/

[xi] Freed, M, Cubanski J, & Neumann T. Kaiser Family Foundation. What to Know About the Older Americans Act and the Services it Provides to Older Adults. June 3, 2025. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/what-to-know-about-the-older-americans-act-and-the-services-it-provides-to-older-adults/

[xii] Freed, M, Cubanski J, & Neumann T. Kaiser Family Foundation. What to Know About the Older Americans Act and the Services it Provides to Older Adults. June 3, 2025. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/what-to-know-about-the-older-americans-act-and-the-services-it-provides-to-older-adults/

[xiii] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS Announces Transformation to Make America Healthy Again. March 27, 2025. Accessed Just 12, 2025. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-restructuring-doge.html#:~:text=Reorganization%20of%20the%20Administration%20for,and%20Medicaid%20Services%20(CMS).

[xiv] Congress.gov. S.2120 - Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025. June 18, 2025. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2120/text

[xv] Vespa J, Armstrong D.M., & Medina L. United States Census Bureau. Demographic Turning Points for the United States: Population Projections for 2020 to 2060. February 202. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p25-1144.html#:~:text=Beginning%20that%20year%2C%20all%20baby,population%20from%202020%20to%202060.