When established in 1965, eligibility for – and distribution of – most OAA dollars was based on age, 65 and older (1) (changed to 60 and older in 1973), rather than on need. That is, a healthy person with substantial savings and a good retirement income would be no less eligible for most services than an older person with multiple impairments living below the poverty level. Money was distributed from the federal government to the states and, in turn, to the area agencies on aging in relation to the number of their citizens age 65 (later 60) and older. (read more…)
(1) 1965 Older Americans Act,P L 89-73, sec. 302 (a) 2: www.aoa.gov/about/legbudg/oaa/oaa_1965.pdf