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The Older Americans Act

The Older Americans Act (OAA) funds critical services that keep our nation's older adults healthy and independent—services like meals, job training, senior centers, health promotion, benefits enrollment, caregiver support, transportation, and more. Learn more about the Older Americans Act and the Aging Network programs and strategies it supports.
Senior centers are vibrant sources of physical and social well-being, and centers provide essential services for older adults. Learn more about how NCOA supports these organizations.

Understanding the Older Americans Act

Why the Older Americans Act Matters

The OAA is the backbone of American aging policy and helps ensure millions of Americans can age well.
smiling older adults with food trays in senior center cafeteria

Advocate for Older Adults

Members of Congress need to hear from you—their constituents—on what issues matter most. Use NCOA's advocacy tool to help protect and strengthen the programs we all depend on.
Sen. Mike Crapo with NCOA President and CEO Ramsey Alwin and others

About the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

SCSEP matches unemployed adults 55+ with job skills training and employment.
smiling older man at computer with two older women on computers behind him

Since 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has preserved the right for seniors to live independently, promoting a continuum of social services to our nation's aging population.

Over 11 million older Americans and their caregivers benefit from OAA programs administered by our aging services network. Each year, funding for OAA programs (also called reauthorization) needs to be approved by Congress and signed into law by the president. The reauthorization of OAA is a crucial opportunity for Congress to modernize and improve services to individuals looking to maintain their health, dignity, and independence.

NCOA's role in support of the Older Americans Act

NCOA continues to fight for annual investments in OAA programs to meet the critical needs of older adults, their caregivers, and the communities that serve them. 

Protect OAA Funding

Action Center

Help protect the federal funding needed to help support older adults, families, and communities. Fight for the Older Americans Act today.

Priorities for Modernizing the Older Americans Act

Read NCOA's priorities for reauthorizing the OAA, the backbone for services to America's aging population.

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