Older Americans Act

The Older Americans Act (OAA), enacted in 1965, is the primary vehicle for services and funding in every state that support the dignity and welfare of individuals age 60 and older. These services include home-and-community based services; nutritional programs; health promotion and disease prevention activities for seniors; and programs that protect vulnerable seniors, such as the long-term care ombudsman program.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is authorized under the Older Americans Act (Title VII, Chapter 2, Sections 711/712) and administered at the state level. It provides residents of long-term care facilities with access to effective advocacy to ensure that they receive the quality of care and quality of life they deserve and are entitled to by law.

Information regarding reauthorization of the Older Americans Act is available on the ACL website.