Final answer:
The Older Americans Act safeguards the elderly against abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and has been complemented by the ADEA to prevent age discrimination in employment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Older Americans Act is designed to protect the elderly population from various forms of negative treatment, including abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The act ensures the safety and dignity of older adults by addressing issues that affect them, including age discrimination and elder abuse, which can be perpetrated by different individuals, such as family members or caregivers.
Various amendments and acts like the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) have broadened the protections for older individuals, specifically targeting employment discrimination due to age, and making sure that individuals are not forced to retire simply because they reach a certain age.