Understanding the Older Americans Act (OAA)

The Older Americans Act (OAA) (P.L. 89-73) is a landmark federal law enacted in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society initiatives. It was the first major federal effort to provide comprehensive services for older adults in the United States, establishing a framework for delivering community-based programs that help older Americans maintain their independence and well-being.

Purpose and Objectives

The OAA aims to ensure that older individuals have access to services that promote:

• Adequate income in retirement
• The best possible physical and mental health
• Suitable housing
• Employment opportunities
• Retirement in health, honor, and dignity
• Civic, cultural, educational, and recreational participation
• Efficient community services
• Freedom, independence, and self-determination
• Protection against abuse, neglect, and exploitation

For a detailed overview, see the Administration for Community Living’s OAA page.

Administration and Structure

The OAA established the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to oversee its programs. It also created a national aging network that includes:

• 56 State Units on Aging
• Over 600 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
• Nearly 20,000 service providers
• 244 Tribal organizations and two Native Hawaiian organizations

You can learn more about this national network from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

Core Programs and Services

OAA-funded programs cover a wide range of needs, including:

• Supportive Services: Transportation, in-home assistance, case management, and legal services
• Nutrition Programs: Congregate and home-delivered meals
• Health Promotion: Chronic disease management and wellness programs
• Caregiver Support: Counseling, respite care, and training for family caregivers
• Elder Rights Protection: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and elder abuse prevention
• Employment Opportunities: The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) for low-income individuals aged 55 and older

The Kaiser Family Foundation provides a concise summary of these programs and their impact.

Eligibility and Target Populations

Services are generally available to individuals aged 60 and older, with a focus on those with the greatest economic or social need, including:

• Low-income individuals
• Minority older adults
• Older individuals in rural areas
• Individuals with limited English proficiency
• Older adults at risk of institutional placement

Reauthorization and Funding

The OAA is periodically reauthorized to adapt to the evolving needs of the aging population. The most recent reauthorization, the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020, extended programs through fiscal year 2024. In June 2025, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 was introduced to extend and enhance OAA programs through fiscal year 2030, with proposed increases in funding and improved support for caregivers and direct care workers.

For a legislative history and updates on reauthorization efforts, see the Congressional Research Service overview and the Consumer Voice summary of the 2025 reauthorization bill.

Bottom line: The OAA remains the cornerstone of the nation’s aging services network, enabling millions of older adults to live with independence, dignity, and security in their communities.