The Congress finds that millions of older citizens in this Nation are suffering unnecessary harm from the lack of adequate services. It is therefore the purpose of this Act, in support of the objectives of the Older Americans Act of 1965 [42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.], to—
(1) make available comprehensive programs which include a full range of health, education, and supportive services to our older citizens who need them,
(2) give full and special consideration to older citizens with special needs in planning such programs, and, pending the availability of such programs for all older citizens, give priority to the elderly with the greatest economic and social need.
(3) provide comprehensive programs which will assure the coordinated delivery of a full range of essential services to our older citizens, and, where applicable, also furnish meaningful employment opportunities for many individuals, including older persons, young persons, and volunteers from the community, and
(4) insure that the planning and operation of such programs will be undertaken as a partnership of older citizens, community agencies, and State and local governments, with appropriate assistance from the Federal Government.
(Pub. L. 93–29, title I, § 101, May 3, 1973, 87 Stat. 30; Pub. L. 97–115, § 3(d), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1597.)