gerontology aging and america

The OAA has been reapproved and amended since 1965. In 1967, the Age Discrimination Act was passed. In 1972, the Office of Long-term Care Ombudsman Programs was created to provide a state level representative to ensure the rights of elders within their states of residence, including Puerto Rico and Guam. Several of the existing seven titles were added on in subsequent years, like the Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services for Title VII in 1992, and the Office for American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian Programs for Title VI, which was added in 1978. The first federal Conference on Aging was actually in 1950, before the OAA, followed by the first official White House Conference on Aging in 1961, the same year Social Security Amendments were altered. The second White House Conference on Aging was in 1971. They were held every decade since, with the most recent held in 2015.

In 2006, the OAA was amended to create Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), which function as portals to access the system. This is one of the most important recent additions to the OAA in light of the need for individuals to locate trusted sources of information, and find out what resources and services are available to them. The ADRCs are designed to be " visible and trusted entry points, helping people find information and providing one-on-one, person-centered counseling to help them access the long-term services and support they need," ("The Older Americans Act: Aging Well Since 1965," n.d.). The ADRCs remove barriers to accessing the system and prevent misinformation.

In addition to the ADRCs, the 2006 amendments also included provisions for state elder justice systems and for demonstration programs to help older people "age in place," (O'Shaughnessey, 2012). Aging in place refers to "naturally occurring retirement communities" located in the person's community. The aging in place concept coincides with the core mission of the OAA for helping people age with dignity and independence ("The Older Americans Act: Aging Well Since 1965," n.d.). The 2006 revisions to the OAA also offer systems for mental health screening and treatment services, which had previously been underrepresented in funded programs ("Shaughnessey, 2012). Furthermore, nutrition, health, and preventative health programs are enhanced with the Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs (ONHPP).