The OAA was a response to Congressional concerns about the lack of community social services for senior citizens.

[5] Funding for many Great Society programs as well as Johnson’s political capital, dwindled during the Vietnam War.

Some programs and agencies were dismantled by later administrations, such as Nixon’s and Ford’s slow dissolution of the Office of Economic Opportunity.

The stated purpose of the OAA is to ensure equal opportunity to the fair and free enjoyment of: adequate income in retirement; the best possible physical and mental health services without regard to economic status; suitable housing; restorative and long term care; opportunity for employment; retirement in health, honor, and dignity; civic, cultural, educational and recreational participation and contribution; efficient community services; immediate benefit from proven research knowledge; freedom, independence, and the exercise of self-determination; and protection against abuse neglect and exploitation.

The bill established an Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW).

[10] A disproportionate number of seniors receiving services (27%) are below the poverty line (compared to 9.7% of the general population over age 60).

Recipients are also almost twice as likely to be rural, more likely to live alone, and on average have less income, less education, and are less healthy than those persons in the general population aged 60 and over.