Older Americans Act Amendments

Older Americans Act Amendments - Declares it to be the purpose of these Amendments to make available comprehensive programs which include a full range of health, education, and social services to older citizens; to give full and special consideration to citizens with special needs; to provide comprehensive programs which will deliver a full range of essential services to older citizens; and to insure that the planning and operation of such programs will be undertaken as a partnership of parents, community, and State and local governments, with appropriate assistance from the Federal Government.

Authorizes to be appropriated $150,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, $200,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and $250,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, for grants to the States for: (1) community planning and coordination of programs; (2) demonstration projects; (3) training of special personnel; and (4) the establishment of new programs.

Provides that the Commissioner on Aging shall be the principal officer of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare for carrying out the Amendments.

Makes it the duty of the Administration on Aging to develop basic policies and set priorities with respect to the development of programs related to the purposes of the Amendments; to provide for the coordination of Federal programs and activities; to call conferences of such authorities and officials as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare deems necessary; to develop and operate programs providing services and opportunities related to the purposes of the Amendments which are not otherwise provided by existing programs for older persons; to carry on a continuing evaluation of the programs and activities related to the purposes of the Amendments; to serve as a clearinghouse for applications for Federal assistance to private nonprofit agencies and institutions; and to develop a national plan for meeting the needs for trained personnel in the field of aging.

Establishes within the Administration on Aging a National Information and Resource Center for the Aging with a Director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the center to carry out its duties and functions. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the establishment of the Center.

Establishes a Gerontological Research Center located, for administration purposes only, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the Center shall be headed by a Board composed of five members appointed by the President. Makes the Board responsible for preparing a program designed to promote and conduct intensive coordinated research in the biological origins of aging on a continuing basis.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or to contract with public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations to pay not to exceed 90 percent of the cost of the development and operation of programs designed to provide opportunities for persons aged sixty or over to render public service. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Office of Economic Opportunity, the Department of Labor, and other Federal agencies administering relevant Federal programs.

Authorizes to be appropriated for improving the nutritional level of older persons such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal year 1973 and each succeeding fiscal year prior to July 1, 1975. Provides a formula for the allotment of funds among the States.

Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal year 1973 and each succeeding fiscal year ending prior to July 1, 1975, for grants by the Secretary to public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations to pay not to exceed 75 percent of the cost of construction of multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes the Secretary to insure any mortgage upon such conditions as he may prescribe.

Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary for carrying out the insurance provisions of the Act.

Directs the Secretary, after appropriate investigation, to develop and carry out a program to improve the transportation services available to older persons. Authorizes to be appropriated the necessary sums for carrying out such purposes.

Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a program for providing continuing education to older persons through grants or contracts with public and private agencies, including other Federal agencies, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and the vocational educational, vocational rehabilitation agencies of the States. Authorizes to be appropriated sums necessary to carry out such purposes.