What Is The Administration on Aging?
March 27, 2018 | by the National Care Planning Council
The Older Americans Act of 1965 established The Administration on Aging. The Administration on Aging oversees a wide array of home and community based services for over 8 million elderly individuals each year, which is 17 percent of all people aged 60 and older - including 3 million individuals who require intensive services and meet the functional requirements for nursing home care. The agency also provides direct services to over 600,000 informal caregivers each year, who are struggling to keep their loved ones at home. This national aging network is the largest long term care provider network in the country.
The Administration on Aging administers 655 area agencies on aging in every state and territory of the United States. State aging departments, under direction from the Administration on Aging, oversee and coordinate the activities of area agencies on aging in their states. Services are numerous but concentrate primarily on helping elderly people remain independent in the community, delaying the possibility that they will need help in a facility. Area agencies also support caregivers and coordinate Medicaid programs for home care and assisted living. Agencies also support caregivers and grandparents caring for their grandchildren. Here is a list of more common area agency on aging services.
- Access Services such as transportation, outreach, information and assistance, case management, and so on
- In-Home Services including homemaker and home health aides, home repair, snow removal, chore and maintenance, supportive services for families of older individuals who have Alzheimer's disease, and so on
- Community Services such as adult day care, senior centers, legal assistance, recreation, and so on
- Community Served Meals and meals on wheels
State aging departments and area agencies on aging also offer other free services for needy seniors on a limited basis. Below are a few of these services.
Legal Assistance
The Older Americans Act requires state aging units and area agencies on aging to provide legal services for older Americans. There is also a requirement for the state to appoint a person known as a "legal assistance developer" to coordinate legal services in the state. The US Administration on Aging has also formed coalitions with various national groups to help states and local agencies implement legal services. Not only is there concern for the elderly about dealing with issues relating to estate planning, income and long-term care planning but there is a great deal of concern that the elderly may be vulnerable to exploitation by con artists and unscrupulous businesses.
The OAA specifically directs legal services for the following issues: income, health care, long-term care, nutrition, housing, utilities, protective services, defense of guardianship, abuse, neglect, and age discrimination.
There may only be enough money for most states to hire a legal assistance developer and other staff attorneys may only be possible for larger states. States and local area agencies on aging must rely on the volunteer services of the legal community. Some states and federal government agencies may also provide money for this program. Licensed attorneys may donate some of their time for assessments and law students may be used to help identify problems and offer solutions. Extensive legal help is only available without recipient out-of-pocket cost in a few cases.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
A long-term care ombudsman is a sounding board for residents of long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living or board and care facilities. Residents or families of residents can contact an ombudsman if there is concern about services or treatment from staff in a facility. The ombudsman investigates and if necessary resolves the problems.
Each state, under the Older Americans Act, is required to have a state long-term care ombudsman program that is managed at the state level. About 38 states include the office of ombudsman under the state aging unit and 15 other states or territories manage the office under a different state agency or use a private contractor. The state office manages a corps of local volunteers who respond to complaints or, time allowing, visit with residents of long-term care facilities to gain feedback.
Health Insurance Counseling
Many elderly have difficulty understanding their Medicare coverage. The elderly may also have questions about whether to buy Medicare supplement policies or buy into Medicare advantage plans. The aging network has been given responsibility by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services to counsel the elderly with annual enrollment for Medicare. The health insurance counseling services, typically coordinated at the state level, are designed to provide nonbiased advice.
