FOREWORD Programs authorized under the Older Americans Act have become vital elements in the range of measures through which we seek to improve the lives of older people in this Nation. The Older Americans Act as enacted in 1965, and amended in 1967, 1969, 1972, and 1973, has achieved a number of essential goals on behalf of the elderly: It strengthened and increased the visibility of the Admininistration on Aging within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; established, within the framework of titles III, VII, and IX, a comprehensive and coordinated system for the delivery of such services as transportation, employment, well-balanced hot meals served in a congregate setting, services to help older persons live independently in their own homes, and much more; provided grants to train skilled personnel needed in the newly developed programs focused on the elderly; authorized establishment and operation of multipurpose senior centers; implemented a program of research and demonstration projects to test innovative ideas; and amended a number of other acts to assure the participation of the elderly in their programs. In 1975, amendments were enacted to extend the Act for two years; to emphasize four priority areas for funding under title III-transportation, legal counseling, home repair and home services; and to direct the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to make a study of age discrimination with a report of its findings to Congress and the President; among other things. All programs authorized under the Older Americans Act are due to expire in September 1978. The Subcommittee on Aging will hold a series of hearings to examine the progress and impact of these programs on the lives of the elderly, and will reevaluate the programs in light of information provided by the Civil Rights Commission report, a survey of nutrition projects conducted by the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, and a survey of Area Agencies on Aging made by the subcommittee. It is expected that legislation will be enacted well in advance of the expiration date so that these programs which have served the elderly so well in the past may be improved to help older Americans lead lives of dignity, comfort, and purpose. CONTENTS |