In response to the growing number of older people and their diverse needs, the Older Americans Act of 1965 as Amended calls for a range of programs that offer services and opportunities for older Americans, especially those at risk of losing their independence. The Act established the Administration for Community Living (ACL), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Aging in the Department.
ACL is the Federal focal point and advocate agency for older persons and their concerns. In this role, AoA works to heighten awareness among other Federal agencies, organizations, groups, and the public about the valuable contributions that older Americans make to the nation and alerts them to the needs of vulnerable older people. Through information and referral and outreach efforts at the community level, ACL seeks to educate older people and their caregivers about the benefits and services available to help them.
ACL works closely with its nationwide network of Regional offices and State and Area Agencies on Aging to plan, coordinate, and develop community-level systems of services that meet the unique needs of individual older persons and their caregivers. The Administration on Aging collaborates with Federal agencies, national organizations, and representatives of business to ensure that, whenever possible, their programs and resources are targeted to the elderly and coordinated with those of the network on aging.
ACL administers key programs at the Federal level mandated under various titles of the Older Americans Act. These programs help vulnerable older persons to remain in their own homes by providing supportive services. Other programs offer opportunities for older Americans to enhance their health and to be active contributors to their families, communities, and the nation through employment and volunteer programs.
Nationwide, some 629 AREA AGENCIES ON AGING (AAAs) receive funds from their respective State Agencies on Aging to plan, develop, coordinate and arrange for services in each PSA. In rural areas, an AAA may serve the needs of elderly people living in a number of communities, while other AAAs may serve the elderly living in a single city.
AAAs contract with public or private groups to provide services. There are some 27,000 service provider agencies nationwide. In some cases, the AAA may act as the service provider, if no local contractor is available. Supportive services fall under several categories, including:
Access Services — Services such as information and referral, outreach, case management, escort and transportation;
In-Home Services — Programs which include chore, homemaker, personal care, home-delivered meals, and home repair and rehabilitation;
Community Services — Community-based services include senior center, congregate meal, day care, nursing home ombudsman, elder abuse prevention, legal, employment counseling and referral, health promotion, and fitness programs;
Caregiver Services — Services such as respite, counseling, and education programs.
Older persons, their caregivers, or anyone concerned about the welfare of an older person can contact their Area Agency on Aging for information and referral to services and benefits in their community. AAAs are usually listed in the Yellow Pages under the city or county government headings. In addition to service programs, the Administration on Aging, under Title IV of the Act, awards funds to support research, demonstration, and training programs. Research projects collect information about the status and needs of various subgroups of elderly which is used to plan services and opportunities that will assist them. Demonstration projects test new program initiatives that better serve the elderly, especially those who are vulnerable.
Some successful demonstration projects have laid the groundwork for ongoing nationwide programs under the Older Americans Act. Examples include the national Nutrition Program for the Elderly which provides congregate and home-delivered meals to older people, the nationwide network of Area Agencies on Aging, and the elder abuse prevention program.
A nationwide toll-free hotline also provides information about assistance for older individuals anywhere in the nation. The number is: 1 800 677-1116. When calling, please provide the older persons’ addresses as well as their zip code numbers.
Leave a Reply