| 1920's |
|
| 1920 |
The Civil Service Retirement
Act provided a retirement system for many governmental employees. |
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|
| 1930's |
|
| 1935 |
The Social Security Act
passed; provides for Old Age Assistance and Old Age Survivors Insurance. |
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|
| 1937 |
Railroad Retirement Act provided pensions
for retired railroad employees and spouses. |
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|
| 1950's |
|
| 1950 |
President Truman initiated
the first National Conference on Aging, sponsored by the Federal Security
Agency. |
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|
| 1952 |
First federal funds appropriated for social
service programs for older persons under the Social Security Act. |
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|
| 1956 |
Special Staff on
Aging established within the Office of the Secretary of Health,
Education and Welfare, to coordinate responsibilities for aging.
Federal Council on Aging created by President Eisenhower. |
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|
| 1958 |
Legislation introduced in Congress, calling
for a White House Conference on Aging. |
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|
| 1959 |
Housing act authorized
a direct loan program for non-profit rental projects, for the elderly
at low interests rates, and lowered eligibility ages for public-low-rent
housing, for low-income women to age 62. |
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|
| 1960's |
|
| 1960 |
Social Security Administration
eliminated age 50 as minimum for qualifying for disability benefits,
and liberalized the retirement test and the requirement for fully
insured status. |
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|
| 1961 |
First White House Conference on Aging held in Washington,
D.C.
Social Security Amendments lowered the retirement age for men
from 65 to 62, liberalized the retirement test, and increased minimum
benefits and benefits to aged widows. |
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|
| 1962 |
Legislation introduced
in Congress, to establish an independent and permanent Commission
on Aging. |
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|
| 1965 |
Older Americans Act signed into law
on July 14 1965. It established the Administration on Aging within
the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and called for
the creation of State Units on Aging.
William Bechill named first Commissioner on Aging
Medicare, Title XVIII, a health insurance program for the elderly
was established as part of the Social Security Act.
Medicaid, Title XIX, a health insurance program for low-income persons,
was added to the Social Security Act. |
| |
|
| 1967 |
Older Americans Act extended
for two years, and provisions made for the Administration on Aging
to study the personnel needs in the aging field.
Age Discrimination Act signed into law.
Administration on Aging moved from the Office of the Secretary of
HEW and placed in the newly created Social and Rehabilitative Service
Agency within the Department. |
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|
| 1968 |
John Martin named Commissioner on Aging |
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|
| 1969 |
Older Americans Act Amendments
provided grants for model demonstration projects, Foster Grandparents,
and Retired Senior Volunteer Programs. |
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|
| 1970's |
|
| 1971 |
Second White House Conference
on Aging held in Washington, D.C. |
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|
| 1972 |
A new Title VII is created under the Older
Americans Act authorizing funds for a national nutrition program for
the elderly. |
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|
| 1973 |
Older Americans Act Comprehensive
Services Amendments established Area Agencies on Aging. The amendments
added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies
for multi-purpose senior centers, and created the Community Service
Employment grant program for low-income persons age 55 and older,
administered by the Department of Labor.
Arthur S. Flemming named Commissioner on Aging
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act was enacted; included older
persons. |
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|
| 1973 |
Arthur S. Flemming named Commissioner on
Aging
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act was enacted; included older
persons. |
| |
|
| 1974 |
Title XX of the Social
Security Amendments authorized grants to states for social services.
These programs included protective services, homemaker services, transportation
services, adult day care services, training for employment, information
and referral, nutrition assistance, and health support.
Older Americans Act amendments added transportation under Title III
model projects.
Housing and Community Development Act enacted; provided for low-income
housing for the elderly and handicapped, pursuant to the Housing Act
of 1937.
National Institute on Aging created to conduct research and training
related to the aging process, and the diseases and problems of an
aging population.
Title V of the Farm and Rural Housing Program of 1949 expanded to
include the rural elderly as a target group. |
| |
| 1975 |
Older Americans Act Amendments authorized
grants under Title III to Indian tribal organizations. Transportation,
home care, legal services, and home renovation/repair were mandated
as priority services. |
| |
| 1977 |
Older Americans Act Amendments
required changes in Title VII nutrition program, primarily related
to the availability of surplus commodities through the Department
of Agriculture. |
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|
| 1978 |
Older Americans Act Amendments consolidated
the Title III Area Agency on Aging administration and social services,
the Title VII nutrition services, and the Title V multi-purpose senior
centers, into a new Title III and added a new Title VI for grants
to Indian Tribal Organizations. The old Title V became the Community
Service Employment grant program for low-income persons, age 55 and
older (created under the 1978 amendments as Title IX).
Robert G. Benedict named Commissioner on Aging
Congregate Housing Services Act authorized contracts with local public
housing agencies and non-profit corporations, to provide congregate
independent living service programs.
OAA amendments required each state to establish a long-term care ombudsman
program to cover nursing homes |
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|
| 1980's |
|
| 1981 |
Third White House Conference
on Aging held in Washington, D.C.
Lennie-Marie Tolliver named Commissioner on Aging
Older Americans Act reauthorized; emphasized supportive services to
help older persons remain independent in the community.
Act expanded ombudsman coverage to board and care homes |
| |
|
| 1984 |
Reauthorization of the Older Americans
Act clarified and reaffirmed the roles of State and Area Agencies
on Aging in coordinating community-based services, and in maintaining
accountability for the funding of national priority services (legal,
access, & in-home).
Carol Fraser Fisk named Commissioner on Aging |
| |
| 1987 |
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act provides for nursing home reform in the areas of nurse aide training,
survey and certification procedures, pre-admission screening an annual
reviews for persons with mental illness.
Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act added six additional distinct
authorization of appropriations for services: in-home services for
the frail elderly; long-term care ombudsman; assistance for special
needs; health education and promotion; prevention of elder abuse,
neglect, and exploitation; and outreach activities for persons who
may be eligible for benefits under supplemental security income (SSI),
Medicaid, and food stamps. Additional emphasis was given to serving
those in the greatest economic and social need, including low-income
minorities.
The Nursing Home Reform Act (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) mandated
that nursing facility residents have "direct and immediate access
to ombudspersons when protection and advocacy services become necessary."
Simultaneously, the OAA reauthorization charged states to guarantee
ombudsman access to facilities and patient records, provided important
legal protections, authorized state ombudsmen to designate local ombudsman
programs and required that ombudsman programs have adequate legal
counsel. |
| |
| 1989 |
Joyce Berry named Commissioner on Aging |
| |
| 1990's |
|
| 1990 |
Americans with Disabilities
Act extended protection from discrimination in employment and public
accommodations to persons with disabilities.
Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act reauthorized the
HUD Section, 202 Elderly Housing program, and provided for supportive
service demonstration programs.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act made it illegal, in most circumstances,
for companies to discriminate against older workers in employee benefits.
|
| |
| 1992 |
Reauthorization of the Older Americans
Act places increased focus on caregivers, intergenerational programs,
protection of elder rights and calls for a 1995 White House Conference
on Aging.
The elevation of Commissioner on Aging to Assistant Secretary for
Aging.
OAA amendments added a new Title VII "Vulnerable Elder Rights
Activities" which included the long-term care ombudsman; prevention
of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation; elder rights and legal assistance
development; and benefits outreach, counseling and assistance programs.
The legislation emphasized the value of the four programs coordinating
their efforts. The amendments highlighted the role of local ombudsman
programs and the state ombudsman's role as leader of the statewide
program and advocate and agent for systemwide change. |
| |
| 1993 |
Fernando M. Torres-Gil
was sworn in as the first Assistant Secretary for Aging in the Department
of Health and Human Services on May 6, 1993. |
| |
| 1995 |
White House Conference on Aging convened
May 2 - 5, 1995 in Washington, D.C.
30th Anniversaries of Older Americans Act, Medicare, Medicaid &
the Foster Grandparent Program.
60th Anniversary of Social Security
Operation Restore Trust Initiated |
| |
| 1997 |
Jeanette C. Takamura,
Ph.D., was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Aging in the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services on December 8, 1997. |
| |
| 1999 |
International Year of Older Persons: A
Society for All Ages |
| |
| 2000's |
|
| 2000 |
Older Americans Act Amendments of
2000 signed into law (P.L. 106-501), establishing the new National
Family Caregiver Support Program, and reauthorizing the OAA for 5
years on November 13, 2000. |
| |
|
| 2001 |
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson released $113 million
for first National Family Caregiver Support Programs grants to states
on February 15, 2001.
Josefina G. Carbonell sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Aging
on August 8, 2001. |
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|
| 2002 |
Kick off of 30th Anniversary of the
Older Americans Act Nutrition Program in March. |