Age-Friendly Insights Poll: Bipartisan Public Support for Older Americans Act Programs
The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) commissioned a survey of more than 1,100 U.S. adults about their views on community programs supported through the Older Americans Act (OAA), such as meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support and more.
State and local social service programs that help older adults with daily living have strong support among adults across America. An overwhelming 84% of U.S. adults support continued federal funding for the OAA, with strong support across all political party affiliations.
Download and share the key insights.
Poll findings include:
- More than four in five U.S. adults support state and community programs that help older adults using funding from the OAA to:
- Offer group meals in places like senior centers and churches (87% support)
- Deliver meals to homes through organizations like Meals on Wheels (85% support)
- Provide transportation to medical appointments (85% support)
- Help family caregivers take care of their own health needs (83% support)
- Support for these programs is high regardless of age, race or where people live.
- Nearly four in five adults (79%) support using federal tax revenues to fund programs that help people age at home or in their community.
First passed by Congress in 1965, the OAA provides grants funded by federal tax dollars to states and local social service organizations. One of its main goals is to help older adults age at home and delay expensive nursing home care.
The OAA requires congressional authorization every four years and is overdue for reauthorization.
The poll was conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago and is part of Age-Friendly Insights, a JAHF series measuring opinions on issues related to improving the care of older adults and support for family caregivers.
To learn more about the poll:
- Review the methodology and dive deeper into the data
- Explore graphics and template posts to share the survey’s findings
- Read an overview of key findings
To learn more about the Older Americans Act:
- The Administration for Community Living: Older Americans Act
- ADvancing States: National and State 2024 OAA Return on Investment Infographics
- Justice in Aging: Supporting Tribal Elders Through the Older Americans Act
- USAging: Older Americans Act Reauthorization 2024-2025
Watch the recording of our recent virtual briefing, “Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act - What’s at Stake.”
Learn more about our other Age-Friendly Insights polls.
