Honoring the 60th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act
Sixty years ago, the Older Americans Act (OAA) affirmed a national promise to support older adults in communities across the country with access to vital services, resources and care.
At The John A. Hartford Foundation, we view the OAA as more than a policy—it's a call to action. Its values guide our work to advance age-friendly care and strengthen the systems that support us as we grow older.
The OAA continues to make a meaningful impact—from daily meals and caregiver support to protections against elder abuse and chronic disease management—helping millions of older adults live with independence and dignity.
This anniversary is both a time to reflect and a reminder to keep advocating for continued investment in this essential legislation. A group of national aging services organizations—National Council on Aging, NANASP, Meals on Wheels America, USAging and ADvancing States—has called for a day of action on July 14, the anniversary of OAA’s passage, urging Congress to “protect and increase funding for the OAA.”
The following resources from our partners shed light on the history, impact and continued importance of the OAA:
- OAA Day of Action: National Aging Services Organizations Call for Day of Action in Honor of 60th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act
- KFF Issue Brief: What to Know About the Older Americans Act and the Services it Provides to Older Adults
- Aging in America News Article by Bob Blancato: 60 Years Later: How the Older Americans Act Carries Forward the Promise of the Great Society
- USAging Timeline: Key Milestones – OAA from 1965 to the Present
- USAging Toolkit: Older Americans Act Reauthorization 2024-2025
- Grantmakers in Aging Resource Page: Older Americans Act
- Grantmakers in Aging/Grantmakers in Health Factsheet: 5 Ways Congress Can Strengthen the Older Americans Act, and What Philanthropy Can Do
- Meals on Wheels: Take Action Email Campaign
- NANASP Virtual Rally: Support Older Adults YouTube Livestream 7/14, 2pm ET
- Wellsky Webinar: The Future of the Older Americans Act 7/17, 2pm ET featuring Kathy Greenlee former ACL Administrator and Abby Cox of ADvancing States
July 2025 is also the 60th Anniversary of legislation that authorized Medicare and Medicaid, two other pillars of public policy that are critical to the health and well-being of older adults. Read our July E-News to learn more.
The John A. Hartford Foundation is holding a virtual, nonpartisan Congressional Briefing on September 22 exploring the impact of the Older Americans Act (OAA) on the health and independence of adults 60+ and their family caregivers. The briefing is titled, "Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act: What’s at Stake."
