Q: What is the Older Americans Act?
A: The Older Americans Act (OAA) is celebrating its 61st anniversary this month. It was signed into law in July of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, thus becoming the first system in the United States to provide home and community-based services to older adults.
Here in California, it is still the main backbone of support for older adults to age in place with dignity in our communities. In California alone, it is estimated that 25% of the population will be over the age of 60 by 2030. Here in Ventura County, we have already reached this milestone, and in Los Angeles County the number is closer to 20 percent.
Services funded through the OAA include family caregiver support, nutrition programs, transportation, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for residents of licensed care facilities, and a variety of health and wellness programs. These services are delivered locally through Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), which are required by the OAA to develop service delivery models that reflect the unique needs and priorities of their communities.
There are more than 600 Area Agencies on Aging across the country. When people are looking for services outside our area, I encourage them to contact the Eldercare Locator by calling 1-800-677-1116 or visiting https://eldercare.acl.gov/home to find the AAA serving their community.
Although the OAA’s authorization expired in 2024, the program continues to operate under temporary extensions while Congress works toward formal reauthorization. The Act provides approximately $2 billion in grants each year, funding essential services that help older adults remain healthy, safe, and independent.
Consider Cynthia’s story. She cares for her husband, who is living with dementia, in their home. She relies on home-delivered meals because shopping and cooking have become too difficult while balancing her husband’s care with her own chronic health conditions. Through OAA funded programs, she also received assistance installing grab bars in her bathroom to improve safety and attends a caregiver support group. These services, provided through the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, help her continue caring for her husband while maintaining her own well-being.
Cynthia describes these services as her lifeline. She says that while the daily responsibilities of caregiving remain challenging, knowing these supports are in place makes those challenges more manageable and helps her feel less alone.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
