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Federal,
State, and Local Network on Aging
The Administration
on Aging (AoA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services and is the federal advocacy agency for older persons.
Through programs at the community level, AoA seeks to provide education
about benefits and services available to older Americans. AoA administers
key programs mandated under various titles of the Older Americans
Act to help vulnerable older persons remain in their own homes by
providing supportive services. Other programs offer opportunities
for older Americans to enhance their health and to be active through
employment and volunteer programs.
AoA works closely
with its nationwide network of Regional offices and State and Area
Agencies on Aging. AoA awards funding allocations based on the population
of older adults to 57 State Agencies on Aging (sometimes referred
to as State Units on Aging) which are located in every state and
territory. AoA also awards funds to 216 tribes and native organizations
to meet the needs of older American Indians, Aleuts, Eskimos, and
Hawaiians.
Nationwide,
660 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) receive funds from their State
Agencies on Aging. An Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit agency
designated by the state to address the needs of all older Americans
at the local level. AAAs contract with public or private groups
to provide services including:
- Access
Services — information and referral, outreach, case
management, escort and transportation;
- In-Home
Services — chore, homemaker, personal care, home-delivered
meals, and home repair and rehabilitation;
- Community
Services — senior centers, congregate meal, day care, elder
abuse prevention, legal, employment counseling, health promotion,
and fitness programs; and
- Caregiver
Services — respite, counseling, and education.
Anyone concerned
about the welfare of an older person can contact their Area Agency
on Aging. AAAs are usually listed in the Yellow Pages under city
or county government headings. A nationwide toll-free hotline (800-677-1116)
provides information about assistance for older individuals anywhere
in the nation. AoA can be reached online at www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa.html.
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