Administration for Community Living
Where We Came From and Where We’re Headed
Historical Evolution of Programs for Older Americans
East Baton Rouge Area Agency on Aging/Council On Aging
for a White House Conference on Aging. 1959 Housing act authorized a direct loan program for non-profit rental projects, for the elderly at low interests rates, and lowered eligibility ages for public-low- rent housing, for low-income women to age 62. 1960 Social Security Administration eliminated age 50 as minimum for qualifying for disability benefits and liberalized the retirement test and the requirement for fully insured status.
1920 The Civil Service Retirement Act provided a
retirement system for many governmental employees. 1935 The Social Security Act passed; provides for Old Age Assistance and Old Age Survivors Insurance. 1937 Railroad Retirement Act provided pensions for retired railroad employees and spouses. 1950 President Truman initiated the first National Conference on Aging, sponsored by the Federal Security Agency. 1952 First federal funds appropriated for social service programs for older persons under the Social Security Act. 1956 Special Staff on Aging established within the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, to coordinate responsibilities for aging. Federal Council on Aging created
• Area Agency On Aging (AAA) is a public or private nonprofit agency designated by a state to address the needs and concerns of all older persons at a regional and local levels. All Area Agencies On Aging receive federal funding under the Older Americans Act and most receive supplemental funding from state and local revenues. • Councils On Aging are the municipal agencies that provide local outreach, social and health services, advocacy, information and referral for older adults, their families and caregivers. Councils on Aging & Senior Centers provide support services to older persons, families and caregivers in the community. Did you know we are a dual agency!? Area Agency On Aging & Council On Aging! Explained
1961 First White House
Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965 in response to concern by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older persons. The original legislation established authority for grants to states for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging (AoA) to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the federal focal point on matters concerning older persons.
Conference on Aging held in Washington, D.C. Social Security Amendments lowered the retirement age for men from 65 to 62, liberalized the retirement test, and increased minimum benefits and benefits to aged widows.
programs, today the OAA is considered to be a major vehicle for the organization and delivery of social and nutrition services to this group and their caregivers. It authorizes a wide array of service programs through a national network of 56 state agencies on aging, 618 area agencies on aging, nearly 20,000 service providers, 281 Tribal organizations, and 1 Native Hawaiian organization representing 400 Tribes. The OAA also includes community service employment for low-income older Americans; training, research, and demonstration activities in the field of aging; and vulnerable elder rights protection activities.
1962 Legislation
introduced in Congress, to establish an independent and permanent Commission on Aging.
Although older individuals may receive services under many other federal
by President Eisenhower.
1958 Legislation introduced in Congress, calling
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