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WHAT IS THE AGING SERVICES NETWORK?
The National Aging Services Network is a human service delivery system of federal,
state, and local agencies that work together to provide services and opportunities
to help older Americans lead independent and dignified lives at home and in
their communities. The Network serves seven million aging adults age 60 and
over 325,000 caregivers.
The Network is comprised of 56 State Units on Aging,
655 Area Agencies on Aging, 243 tribal organizations,
over 29,000 local community service organizations,
500,000 volunteers, and a wide variety of national
organizations.
WHAT IS THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT?
In response to the growing number of older people and their diverse needs,
the Older Americans Act (OAA) was signed into law in 1965. The OAA created
the Administration on Aging and a national network of federal, state, and
local agencies that support and protect the health and well-being of older
Americans. The Act authorized grants to states for community planning and
services programs, as well as for research, demonstration, and training projects
in the field of aging. Later amendments to the OAA added grants to Area Agencies
on Aging (AAAs) for local needs identification, planning, and funding of
services. The OAA was reauthorized in 2000 and contained an important new
program, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which helps family
members who are struggling to care for their older loved ones who are ill
or who have disabilities, grandparents who are caregivers of grandchildren,
and other older individuals who are relative caregivers of children who are
eighteen and under.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE AGING SERVICES
NETWORK?
The Administration on Aging
AoA is the federal leader of the National Aging Services
Network. In this role, AoA works to heighten awareness
among other Federal agencies, organizations, groups,
and the public about the valuable contributions of
older Americans and alerts the public to the needs
of vulnerable older people. AoA recommends policy;
develops regulations to implement the OAA; and, under
Title IV of the Act, disseminates grants for research,
training, and demonstration projects.
State Units on Aging
The State Units on Aging (SUA) serve as the state
governmental agencies for aging issues, working with
many state agencies and other public and private sector
entities on behalf of older people. AoA awards OAA
funds to SUAs to support home and community-based services
and elder rights programs including but not limited
to legal services, and long term care ombudsmen. SUAs
then award grants to designated AAAs so that programs
and services can be tailored to meet the needs of older
persons in a particular area within a state.
Area Agencies on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) address the needs and
concerns of older people at the local level. Area Agencies
vary from place to place depending on local needs.
The agency might be a public agency located within
county government, a regional planning council, a unit
of city government, or a private nonprofit organization.
Their primary responsibilities include advocacy on
behalf of older persons, planning and service development,
and administration of a wide variety of funds to public
and private local providers for the provision of home
and community-based support services.
| Case
Study |
The
following case study illustrates how the aging
services network can provide assistance to older
persons and their families:
Marie recently retired after 40 years working with a small printing company.
She wanted to remain active and try new things. Marie contacted her local AAA
and they were able to link her to the multipurpose senior center near her home.
She was able to take exercise and computer classes three days a week at the center.
Marie continued to visit the senior center regularly for several years. She then
suffered a stroke and was not able to get around as she once did. Her daughter
noticed that Marie was forgetful and needed some additional assistance. Her daughter
called the AAA. The agency conducted an assessment and helped arrange for someone
to come in and provide chore services for Marie. In addition, transportation
services were provided which allowed Marie to continue going to the senior center
at least once a week so she could visit with her friends. |
WHAT ARE SUPPORT SERVICES?
Supportive services coordinated through AAAs fall
under several categories that include the following:
- Access
Services such as information and referral, outreach,
case management, escort, and transportation;
- In-Home
Services that include chores, personal care, home
health, home-delivered meals, home repair, and rehabilitation;
- Community-Based Services that include senior centers,
congregate meals, day care, nursing home ombudsman,
alternative community-based living facilities,
elder abuse prevention, legal, employment counseling and referral, health
promotion, and fitness programs;
- Institutional Services that consist of pre-admission
screening programs, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation,
and continuing care retirement
communities; and
- Caregiver Services such as respite, counseling,
and education programs.
HOW CAN I ACCESS THE AGING SERVICES NETWORK?
To find resources and support services through the
National Aging Services Network, contact your local
Area Agency on Aging. In a few states, the State
Unit or Office on Aging serves as the AAA.
You can locate the appropriate AAA or local service
provider through an
AoA-supported, nationwide, toll-free information and
assistance directory called the Eldercare Locator.
Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, Monday
through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
For 24-hour access to the Locator, visit www.eldercare.gov.
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Last Updated: 07/06/2005
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