Celebrating Milestones in Elder Care: A Look Back—and Forward—at Aging Policy in 2025

This year marks a momentous time for elder care in the United States. As we celebrate several milestone anniversaries of foundational aging policies, including Social Security turning 90 and Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act (OAA) reaching 60, we are reminded not only of the progress made but also of the advocacy still required to sustain and protect these programs.

Legacy Programs That Transformed Aging in America

Signed into law in 1935, Social Security has become a bedrock of financial security for older adults, supporting nearly 90 percent of people aged 65 and older. From the introduction of cost-of-living adjustments in the 1970s to ending paper checks in 1999, the program has evolved to meet the needs of a growing aging population.

In 1965, the U.S. made another giant leap forward with the passage of Medicare, Medicaid and the OAA—all part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society initiative. Medicare now provides health coverage to more than 67 million Americans, and recent enhancements like the Inflation Reduction Act have helped lower prescription drug costs and cap insulin prices. Medicaid, meanwhile, supports more than 60 percent of nursing home residents, offering critical long-term care services to those in need.

The OAA, celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer, laid the groundwork for a national network of aging services. It funds meals, transportation, caregiver support and more through state and local agencies. The National Family Caregiver Support Program, added in 2000, now serves over 700,000 caregivers annually—74 percent of whom say it enables them to provide care longer.

Modern Challenges and Uncertain Futures

Despite these achievements, 2025 is also a year of great uncertainty. Federal budget cuts, department reorganizations, and shifting political priorities threaten the security of these essential programs. The Social Security trust fund is projected to run out in 2035 if changes aren’t made. The Older Americans Act faces funding and structural challenges due to the unexpected reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services, including significant staff layoffs at the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the agency responsible for administering many aging programs.

The Elder Justice Act, which was originally passed in 2010 as part of the Affordable Care Act, is also in jeopardy. Though it remains active, it has lacked formal reauthorization for over a decade, and efforts to fund elder abuse prevention programs are at risk. The Elder Justice Coalition has warned that recent changes weaken the government’s ability to protect vulnerable older adults, calling for immediate congressional action.

Why This Moment Matters

These anniversaries are not just cause for celebration—they’re a call to action. As the number of older adults in the U.S. grows—from 16 million in the 1960s to over 62 million today—the importance of maintaining and strengthening these programs cannot be overstated. They provide vital support not only to older adults but also to their caregivers and families, helping people age with dignity and independence.

Bob Blancato, National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition, encourages advocates not to let these milestones pass quietly. “This is the time to broadcast the value of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid,” he said. “The anniversaries are an advocacy opportunity we must all seize.”

So as we reflect on the past 90 years of progress in elder care, let us also raise our voices for the future. Whether it’s writing your representative, supporting aging nonprofits, or simply staying informed, every action helps ensure these programs remain strong for generations to come.

View the Milestones in Elder Care Presentation with Bob Blancato!

In this webinar, policy expert Bob Blancato, President of Matz, Blancato & Associates and National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition, marks the anniversaries of three groundbreaking pieces of legislation that have shaped the landscape of elder care in the United States: the Elder Justice Act, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). Join him as he explores how these laws have significantly improved the lives of older adults and their families, and examine their lasting impact on health care, caregiving, and the protection of vulnerable older adults.