Advocate
![Advocates on bus to U.S. Capitol Hill](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F4f02f984-fd5e-4ed0-955b-bc5eeeb6cbf4%2FHillDay24_bus.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
How NCOA Advocates for Older Adults
Public & Social Policy
![A senior Native American woman is showing a younger generation how to weave.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Fc5ecf216-ce2a-4855-8040-f28e708523da%2FNative-American-senior-woman-painting_iStock-1219300838_2022-02_Twitter-1024x512.jpg&w=2048&q=75)
Issues for Aging Services Advocates
![A younger female caregiver holds the hands of a senior Caucasian woman who is smiling.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F60beb499-0649-40c5-bbbc-863ed34648b7%2FCaregiver-holding-senior-woman-hands_FB_iStock-1170698629_2021-02_1200x630.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Vital Funding for Older Adults and Communities
![Each year, funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) programs and many other aging services need to be approved by Congress and signed into law by the president. Learn why the reauthorization of OAA is so important to older adults, caregivers, and their communities.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Fad19c75e-cb3e-4f4b-9c38-09d1973622eb%2F2024.04-NCOA_270_CC_FTB-699x478.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
Understanding the Federal Budget
![Heavy rain and flooding in eastern Kentucky has impacted thousands of residents, including older adults. Learn more about the disaster assistance and resources that are available to help.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Fa97a076c-b693-441a-96b8-528ac03806df%2FFederal-Emergency-Management-Agency_Kentucky-flood_2022-08_Twitter-1024x512.jpg&w=2048&q=75)
Advocate for Older Adults
![Sen. Mike Crapo with NCOA President and CEO Ramsey Alwin and others](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Faa706e47-b1dd-482b-9eb2-05712194c10b%2FHillDay24_Crapo.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
Advocacy Basics
![An advocate for older adults raises his hand at a town hall.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F34924df0-16f4-4b6c-8134-fe2a5fcdbb27%2FTown-hall-meeting-question_FB_iStock-599910658_2020-12_1200x630.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The National Council on Aging's (NCOA) public policy initiatives center on a common purpose: To ensure that aging well is a right for all, not a privilege for a few.
Join our movement for equitable aging
Since 1950, NCOA has successfully built bridges for change to ensure health and economic well-being for generations of older adults. NCOA was the first national voice for older adults, and our vision is a just and caring society in which each of us, as we age, lives with dignity, purpose, and security.
Add your voice to protect and strengthen programs we all depend on as we age. Use our resources below to follow federal aging services legislation and speak up on the issues you care about.
Policy Issues Affecting Older Adults
Get the Facts on Healthy Aging
![A Black senior woman is hugging her husband from behind while he's sitting on the couch.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F83cb46aa-9a10-4108-9194-5d51af619064%2FSenior-couple-embracing-at-home_Hero_iStock-1137571976_2020-12_1336x614.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Celebrating 59 Years of the Older Americans Act
Now in its 59th year, the Older Americans Act (OAA) ensures a network of national, state, tribal, local, and community-based organizations can plan for and implement important programming to ensure all older Americans, especially the most vulnerable, can age well with health, dignity, and independence. Learn more about its history and what you can do to support its reauthorization this year.
![Learn more about the Older Americans Act and how it addresses the social services needs of older adults.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F2a8b3012-6ee8-41cb-8889-e791d7757c61%2F2024.04-NCOA_489_CC_OAA_History_Hero-1336x614.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Protect OAA Funded Programs
Help protect the federal funding needed to help support older adults, their families, and their communities. Fight for the Older Americans Act today.
What Should Aging Look Like?
Aging well in America means drawing upon important assets that support long life. Learn more about what we need to do to ensure everyone has the resources to nurture their well-being and independence.