Older Americans Act

Why the Older Americans Act Matters

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is the nation's primary law supporting nutrition, health promotion and community-based services for older adults. Since its enactment in 1965, the OAA has helped millions of older Americans remain healthy, independent and engaged in their communities through evidence-based programs and services.

The Older Americans Act authorizes and funds a range of services and supports administered through the Administration on Aging and delivered through state agencies on aging, area agencies on aging, Tribal organizations and community-based service providers. The law supports:

Congregate nutrition services
Home-delivered nutrition services
Nutrition screening, education and counseling
Disease prevention and health promotion programs
Caregiver support services
Transportation and community support services
Programs that help older adults maintain independence and age in place

The OAA Nutrition Program, which includes both congregate meals and home-delivered meals, is one of the largest and most effective community nutrition programs in the country. These programs help reduce food insecurity, support healthy aging, improve nutrition status and decrease social isolation among older adults.

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) play a critical role in OAA programs by providing nutrition screening, assessment, counseling, education and medical nutrition therapy that help prevent and manage chronic disease while supporting quality of life and independence.

The OAA remains an essential investment in nutrition security, healthy aging and cost-effective preventive care for a rapidly growing older adult population.

Legislation

The OAA is currently in the reauthorization process. Its most recent authorization expired at the end of fiscal year 2024, and as of mid 2026, Congress has not yet passed a new law to renew it.

As Congress considers reauthorization and annual appropriations for OAA programs, policymakers have the opportunity to strengthen nutrition services, expand access to evidence-based interventions and ensure programs are adequately funded to meet growing demand.

The Academy supports the following legislation:

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

The main reauthorization bill is S. 2120 – Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy (R LA) on June 18, 2025. It would:

Reauthorize the OAA through fiscal years 2026–2030.

Expand and modify programs such as:

National eldercare locator service

Regional aging and disability resource centers

Pension and retirement benefit counseling grants

Home delivered nutrition services (including carryout meals at congregate sites)

Tribal eldercare support

Elder abuse prevention programs

A national resource center to train and recruit direct care workers

Establish or reconvene advisory groups, including a White House Conference on Aging

References

The Academy's Stance on the Older Americans Act

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports a strong and fully funded Older Americans Act that promotes nutrition security, healthy aging and equitable access to nutrition services for all older adults.

The Academy advocates for policies that:

Increase federal funding for congregate and home-delivered meal programs to meet growing demand.
Reduce waitlists and expand access to nutrition services for vulnerable and underserved populations.
Support culturally appropriate and medically tailored nutrition interventions.
Improve access to nutrition services in rural, Tribal, and historically underserved communities.
Enhance coordination between OAA nutrition programs and other federal nutrition assistance programs.

Ensure RDNs are integral members of the OAA nutrition services workforce.
Expand access to medical nutrition therapy, nutrition counseling and chronic disease management services.
Support workforce development initiatives that increase access to qualified nutrition professionals.
Promote evidence-based nutrition interventions that improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.

Strengthen nutrition screening and nutrition risk assessment efforts.
Expand evidence-based health promotion and chronic disease prevention programs.
Support research and program evaluation that demonstrate the impact of nutrition interventions on healthy aging.
Encourage innovative service delivery models that improve access and outcomes for older adults.

Address disparities in nutrition access among older adults.
Support services that recognize cultural, geographic and social differences in aging populations.
Improve access to nutritious foods and nutrition education for populations at increased risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.
Ensure federal investments prioritize nutrition security as a cornerstone of healthy aging.

Get Involved

Use the resources below to learn more about the Older Americans Act and advocate for policies that support nutrition services for older adults. Receive policy and advocacy status updates and connect with fellow Academy members focused on nutrition security by joining the Nutrition Security Affinity Group, which meets quarterly.

Academy members can:

Contact their members of Congress regarding OAA reauthorization and appropriations.

Share stories with their policymakers demonstrating the impact of nutrition services and RDN-led interventions on older adults.

Participate in Academy grassroots advocacy opportunities and Action Alerts.

Engage with Academy member groups focused on healthy aging, nutrition security and public policy.

Educate policymakers and stakeholders about the value of OAA nutrition programs and the role of RDNs in improving health outcomes.