The Older Americans Act of 1965 addresses discrimination based on which characteristic?

• A. Race
• B. Disability
• C. Age
• D. Gender

Answer: (C)

Age-based discrimination is what the Older Americans Act of 1965 targets. The act was created to protect and empower older adults by funding and guiding services that help them stay independent, healthy, and connected. It explicitly addresses bias that would deny or limit access to programs—such as nutrition assistance, transportation, elder abuse prevention, and caregiver support—simply because someone is older. In other words, it recognizes age as the characteristic that can unjustly affect whether an older person can receive covered services, and it works to ensure that access isn’t blocked by that bias. Other forms of discrimination, like race, disability, or gender, are handled by different laws, but this act focuses on age to safeguard the rights and needs of the aging population.