Dramatic increases in America’s older population strongly suggest the need for clear and coherent policies on the aged and aging. Never before in mankind’s history have so many lived for so long. Parallel, if not basic to this growth of the aged population, are the equally rapid changes in family structures, in living arrangements and housing, in norms of employment and retirement and in needs for supportive services.

Much activity on the part of federal, state, and local governments on behalf of older people preceded the passage of the Older Americans Act of 1965. The first major, and still landmark, piece of legislation in which the federal government specially addressed the needs of America’s elderly was the 1935 Social Security Act. The main intent of Social Security was “to provide protection as a matter of right for the American worker in retirement.” It was not until 27 years later, in 1962, that services to the elderly were provided under several titles of the Social Security Act. Other amendments increased benefits substantially, established Medicare and Medicaid, lowered the retirement age for workers from age 65 to 62, and liberalized the require- ments for fully insured status.

The beginnings of what later was enacted as the Older Americans Act have been traced to the 1961 White House Conference on Aging. A key issue raised during the conference was health care. Pressure for a U.S. Department on Aging mounted in both houses of Congress soon after the White House Conference. In 1962, Senator Patrick McNamara (D-MI), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and Congressman Fogarty both introduced bills to create a permanent and independent three- member Commission on Aging, attached to the Presidency, to serve as the focal point within federal government for developing national policies on the aged. Their argument for establishing such a structure was that it would cut across the functional responsibilities of many departments and agencies which serve the elderly. No action was taken on either of their proposals until 1965.

To read portions of the Older Americans Act: (If you require an Adobe Reader you may download one here for free.)

• Older Americans Act of 1965, Title V (OAA) - As amended by Public Law 106-501:     In PDF format

• The Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000: Legislative Changes to the Senior Community Service Employment Program:    In PDF format

• Implementing the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000:    TEIN 15-00

(click here to read about the passage of the Older Americans Act)