The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA), a foundational law that has provided critical services and support to older adults since it was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 14, 1965.
Acting NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen issued a statement Monday marking the milestone and urging continued federal protection of the law as budget negotiations unfold in Washington.
“While Americans may not be familiar with this landmark law, many surely do know the services it provides,” Olsen said. These include home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, home care, Medicare counseling, caregiver support, and advocacy through long-term care ombudsmen.
Since its inception, the Older Americans Act has delivered more than $4.2 billion in federal funding to New York State. Combined with state investments, nearly $10 billion has been used to serve 24 million people through NYSOFA programs. That includes over 1 billion meals served, 85 million hours of in-home care, 68 million rides, and more than 59 million hours of information and assistance.
“Thanks to Governor Hochul, 2025 is also a banner year in New York State for policies supporting older adults,” Olsen noted. This includes new state budget investments and the release of a Master Plan for Aging, containing more than 100 proposals to support New Yorkers as they age.
Olsen also warned of potential threats to OAA funding at the federal level. “As Congress moves from services cuts waged across programs in the July 4 reconciliation measure to the federal budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026, our message is simple: protect the Older Americans Act.”
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