The Older American’s Act needs to be Reauthorized
Lyndon B. Johnson is often remembered as the Vice President under John F. Kennedy. Johnson was the 36th President of the United States of America. During his tenure, Johnson launched a social reform plan called The Great Society. This came thirty years after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal reforms. These Great Society Reforms included the Civil Rights Act (1964 and 1968), the Voting Rights Act (1965), the Social Security Amendments (1965), Medicare and Medicaid (1965), and the Older Americans’ Act (1965).
Johnson signed the Older Americans Act on July 14, 1965. During the signing ceremony, Johnson stated, “The Older Americans Act clearly affirms our Nation’s sense of responsibility toward the well-being of all our older citizens.” This act was passed in response to concerns about the lack of community social services for older persons. In 1965, the average life span was 70 years, with people retiring at 65. Sixty years later, the retirement age is still roughly the same. But life expectancy has risen to 78 years. It is true. Americans are living longer, healthier lives.
This is the time when the Older Americans Act is vital for Minnesota. Nursing homes are closing. There are fewer home care agencies. Our state is facing a declining workforce. It is time to come together to support our communities, friends, and families. Only through collaboration will we be able to support older adults and caregivers. The Older Americans Act is set to do that. The Act offers a wide variety of services and support.
Through supportive services programs, it allows organizations to provide services such as chore, homemaker, and assisted transportation. The nutritional services program provides older adults with a nutritious meal with friends. If older adults are not able to congregate, they can choose to receive a home-delivered meal. Evidence-based classes support older adults in the aging process. These include Matter of Balance or Living Well with Diabetes. Classes occur within a group setting, and some are virtual classes. Finally, the Older Americans Act recognizes the importance of caregivers. The caregiver program focuses on the individual helping the older adult. It does not matter if that caregiver structure is formal or informal. These caregiver programs provide support groups, training, and counseling.
MNRAAA awards funds to these organizations and aids in managing the grant. Individuals see the programs through their daily routine. Walking by the community center where the Senior Dining menu hangs in the window. The local bus passes through town on its way to an appointment. Older adults or caregivers gathering after a support group. Local community-based organizations are providing these services. The organizations help these services’ older adults to remain independent and in their communities.
Every four years, the United States Congress reviews the Older Americans Act. They review the impact on the programs. In 2025, Area Agencies on Aging in Minnesota helped in serving 1,788 older adults with Homemaker services. Homemaker services include light housekeeping, meal preparation, or shopping. During that same time, 2,790 older adults received help from assisted transportation. A volunteer or staff member provided a ride to an older adult to a medical appointment, grocery shopping, or to the pharmacy through this service. Over 60,000 trips occurred through the assisted transportation service. Finally, in 2025, over two million meals were provided to older adults through the Home-Delivered Meal Program.
The last time the Act was reauthorized was in March 2020. Congress needs to review the Older Americans Act. They will see the significance it has in the lives of older adults and caregivers. It is time to reauthorize the Older Americans Act! The programs mentioned rely on the Act. MNRAAA will be working with all AAA’s, USAging, and others in the Aging Networks to seek reauthorization of this legislation, created to be responsible for all our older citizens.
