ABSTRACT
This chapter helps the reader to understand both the opportunities and the challenges older adults face, including the ways in which policies aimed at younger Americans shape outcomes in later life. It provides an overview of key policy issues that directly affect older adults, including major policies such as the Older Americans Act (OAA) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as changes in policy and programs for older adults resulting from the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The chapter examines and evaluates major policies and programs and their intergenerational effects. It explores policy strategies that promote economic security, adequate health care, and social engagement, toward the goal of supporting "aging well". The chapter discusses public social policies and programs in terms of the overall implications the aging of the baby boomers has for public policy. During the last 60 years, advances in medicine, technology, and public health policy have contributed to increased life expectancy.
