Older Americans Act & the Aging Network

Older Americans Act & the Aging Network

Older Americans Act

Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965 in response to concern by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older persons. The original legislation established authority for grants to States for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging (AoA) to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the Federal focal point on matters concerning older persons.

Although older individuals may receive services under many other Federal programs, today the OAA is considered to be the major vehicle for the organization and delivery of social and nutrition services to this group and their caregivers. It authorizes a wide array of service programs through a national network of 56 State agencies on aging, 629 area agencies on aging, nearly 20,000 service providers, 244 Tribal organizations, and 2 Native Hawaiian organizations representing 400 Tribes. The OAA also includes community service employment for low-income older Americans; training, research, and demonstration activities in the field of aging; and vulnerable elder rights protection activities. The links below offer an unofficial compilation of the OAA, an outline of changes made to the OAA at the most recent reauthorization (2006), a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the OAA and other related sources of information/data.

Please select from the topics below to learn more:

Unofficial Compilation of Older Americans Act, as amended in 2006
Outline of 2006 Amendments to Older Americans Act
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Historical Evolution of Programs for Older Americans
Older Americans Act Regulations (1988), 45 CFR Part 1321 (Title III)
Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging
Older Americans Act Regulations (1988), 45 CFR Part 1326 (Title VI)
Grants to Indian Tribes for Support and Nutrition Services
Older Americans Act Regulations (1988), 45 CFR Part 1328 (Title VI)
Grants for Supportive and Nutritional Services to Older Hawaiian Natives