For more than 50 years, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has connected older adults and their caregivers to services that help older adults age with health, dignity and independence in their homes and communities—where they want to be! In 2024, Congress must again reauthorize this vital federal program that serves every community in the country. With the rapid growth of America’s aging population, one in five Americans are projected to be 65 or older by 2030. The OAA provides funding that supports the Centralina Area Agency on Aging and essential aging services in the nine-county Centralina region. It is essential that Congress make wise investments in critical OAA programs and services.
Why is the OAA Important?
The OAA enables aging well at home and in the community—where people want to be. The OAA enables the local delivery of services and supports that help older adults age where they want. Examples include in-home help, meals, transportation, home modification, legal services and many other services that keep older adults healthy and independent.
The OAA prevents the need for more expensive long-term care or avoidable health care costs. Services provided at home and in the community are almost always less expensive than institutional care provided in nursing homes or assisted living. The longer older adults can successfully age at home, the better it is financially for families and the federal government. OAA programs and services also support healthy aging and address the social determinants of health, further saving Medicare and Medicaid dollars.
The OAA supports family caregivers. Family caregivers are the backbone of the nation’s long-term services and support system. The OAA provides vital support to caregivers to bolster their ability to care for their loved ones.
The OAA reflects community needs. OAA services are delivered through a nationwide network of community-based agencies and service providers that know and can best meet the needs of older adults and caregivers in their communities through a range of programs and services. While the services are generally available to everyone age 60 and older, they are targeted to those most in need of support to age well at home.
The OAA protects vulnerable older adults. The Act’s services also help to identify and prevent the abuse and neglect of older Americans, as well as protect the rights of nursing home residents through an ombudsman program.
What Can Congress Do?
Reauthorize the OAA to:
Serve More Older Adults Who Need Help to Age Well at Home
• Significantly increase authorized funding levels to meet the real and urgent needs of a rapidly growing older population and the rising costs of service delivery.
• Ensure that Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and other Aging Network community-based organizations are able to further meet their missions by securing health care or other private funding to serve more older adults.
• Allow more older adults to access OAA health and wellness programs, especially in rural areas.
• Support expanded service options for older American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.
Meet the Needs of Today and Tomorrow’s Older Adults
• Unify and modernize nutrition programs to reflect recent innovations and the changing needs of consumers.
• Reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults by authorizing a national resource center dedicated to training and technical assistance for Aging Network professionals based on building social engagement programs and activities.
Maintain Efficient Oversight and Management of Local Service Delivery to Ensure Quality
• Increase the administrative ability of AAAs to ensure appropriate program development, oversight and network management amid rising costs and eroding federal OAA funding
Learn more about the Older Americans Act and advocacy opportunities:
