The Older Americans Act
![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.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Fe215dedb-d14f-4729-ae39-12d95f5d9424%2FSenior-Centers_Vaccine-Project_Standard-Page_666x562.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
The Older Americans Act: Background, History, and Why It's Important
Celebrating 59 Years of the Older Americans Act
![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)
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)
2020 Legislative Developments in OAA
![Learn more about the bipartisan, bicameral agreement on OAA reauthorization that was adopted by unanimous consent in the Senate on March 3, 2020.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F199c86a7-87e1-4ec6-a754-4ced302d00b3%2FSenior-asian-couple-outside_Twitter_Pexels-5637858-RT_2021-01_1024x512.jpg&w=2048&q=75)
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. OAA has been updated several times through the reauthorization process, most recently in 2020 with another due in 2024. NCOA feels strongly about what should be in this year's reauthorization.
Explore our resources below and learn how NCOA's Policy Team is working to fight for annual investments in OAA programs to meet the critical needs in the community.
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.
The Latest OAA News and Updates
Priorities for Modernizing the Older Americans Act
Read NCOA's priorities for reauthorizing the OAA, the backbone for services to America's aging population.
Advocate for Everyone to Age Well
Add your voice to protect and strengthen the policies and programs we all depend on as we age. Join the National Council on Aging by following federal aging services legislation and speak up on the issues you care about.