Older Americans Act

The Older Americans Act (OAA) provides critical services that address the social drivers of health for older adults such as nutrition, transportation, senior centers, elder rights protections, caregiver support, and health promotion. The need for OAA services has dramatically increased since the act was signed in 1965. The older adult population has grown and become more diverse, the cost of living has increased, and their poverty rate is rising. Yet, OAA funding levels have not kept pace with the growing need.

The OAA reauthorization effort, supported by the Champion Fund, helped secure the 2024 OAA reauthorization, exceeding its $450,000 goal and delivering analysis, convenings, and resources to advance equity, funding alignment, and bipartisan solutions. 

While the reauthorization ensures continued federal support, recent policy and budget changes may affect programs serving older adults, highlighting the ongoing importance of funder and community engagement to sustain and strengthen these services.