Policy Analysis Essay Older Americans Act

Main Article Content

Victoria K. Thoman

Abstract

In 1965, Congress created and successfully implemented the Older Americans Act, which is now more commonly known as the Supporting Older Americans Act. This is a federal program, used nation-wide, specifically designed to meet an array of social services needs that low-income older Americans often require (NHI, (n.d.)). These support services in place include congregate and home delivery of meals, specialized transportation services, employment and volunteer programs, adult day care, senior centers, and long-term care activities (Price-Carter, 2020). The Supporting Older Americans Act and all of its reauthorized programming efforts remain in effect until fiscal year 2024 when the act will again be up for reapproval. With its most recent approval in 2020, Congress also approved supplemental funding allocated for additional COVID-19 relief efforts (Price-Carter, 2020). Currently, over 11 million older Americans along with their caregivers continue to benefit from this program (NHI, (n.d.)).

Article Details

Section
Policy Analysis and Review
Author Biography

Victoria K. Thoman, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Victoria recently graduated from UIUC with her bachelor's degree from the School of Social Work. She is currently in the MSW program, focusing on leadership and social change.