Older Americans Act
The Older Americans Act (OAA) was established in 1965 with the goal of providing health and human services for Americans, particularly as they grow older, and is scheduled to be reauthorized this year. And just in the nick of time: the U.S. expects an unprecedented wave of growth in the over 65 population.
The reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) provides an opportunity for Congress to ensure the Aging Network in the U.S. meets the needs of an ever-expanding population of older Americans and their caregivers.
The national Aging Network, which is comprised of the Administration on Aging (AOA), State Offices on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging, was established by the act to ensure Americans have access to community-based programs and a continuity of care so they may maintain their independence.
The Act contains the following sections:
The reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) provides an opportunity for Congress to ensure the Aging Network in the U.S. meets the needs of an ever-expanding population of older Americans and their caregivers.
The national Aging Network, which is comprised of the Administration on Aging (AOA), State Offices on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging, was established by the act to ensure Americans have access to community-based programs and a continuity of care so they may maintain their independence.
The Act contains the following sections:
Title I: Declaration of Objectives
Title I is the section of the Older Americans Act that explains the objective and goals of the law as it relates to adequate income in retirement, good physical and mental health, opportunity for employment and comprehensive long-term care services for older Americans.
Title I is the section of the Older Americans Act that explains the objective and goals of the law as it relates to adequate income in retirement, good physical and mental health, opportunity for employment and comprehensive long-term care services for older Americans.
Title II: Establishment of the Administration on Aging
Title II establishes the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the chief federal agency for older Americans and sets forth the responsibilities of the AoA and Assistant Secretary for Aging. Title II requires AoA to create the National Eldercare Locator Service to provide nationwide information through a toll free number so users can identify community resources for older citizens. It also establishes national resource centers for long-term care services and abuse prevention activities.
Title II establishes the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the chief federal agency for older Americans and sets forth the responsibilities of the AoA and Assistant Secretary for Aging. Title II requires AoA to create the National Eldercare Locator Service to provide nationwide information through a toll free number so users can identify community resources for older citizens. It also establishes national resource centers for long-term care services and abuse prevention activities.
Title III: Grants for Programs on Aging
Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging
Title III grants support the activities of 56 state agencies on aging and 655 Area Agencies on Aging, which may be nonprofit or public agencies. These agencies, including the 59 New York State Agencies on Aging, act as advocates on behalf of and coordinates social service programs for older citizens. Title III authorizes funds for nutrition services, family caregiver support programs and disease prevention and health promotion activities.
Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging
Title III grants support the activities of 56 state agencies on aging and 655 Area Agencies on Aging, which may be nonprofit or public agencies. These agencies, including the 59 New York State Agencies on Aging, act as advocates on behalf of and coordinates social service programs for older citizens. Title III authorizes funds for nutrition services, family caregiver support programs and disease prevention and health promotion activities.
Title IV
Activities for Health, Independence and Longevity
Title IV provides authority for training, research and demonstration projects in the field of aging. Funds are to be used to expand knowledge about aging and to test innovative ideas on services and programs. Also in included in this initiative are grants to help states use home and community-based services funds to identify people at the highest risk of nursing home placement and help them remain at home in their community setting.
Activities for Health, Independence and Longevity
Title IV provides authority for training, research and demonstration projects in the field of aging. Funds are to be used to expand knowledge about aging and to test innovative ideas on services and programs. Also in included in this initiative are grants to help states use home and community-based services funds to identify people at the highest risk of nursing home placement and help them remain at home in their community setting.
Title V
Community Service Senior Opportunities Act
Title V provides part-time jobs for unemployed low-income people age 55 and older who have poor employment prospects. The Department of Labor contract is with states and national organizations that recruit and enroll workers who are then placed in community services jobs in, for example, hospitals, schools and senior nutrition sites.
Community Service Senior Opportunities Act
Title V provides part-time jobs for unemployed low-income people age 55 and older who have poor employment prospects. The Department of Labor contract is with states and national organizations that recruit and enroll workers who are then placed in community services jobs in, for example, hospitals, schools and senior nutrition sites.
Title VI
Grants for Services for Native Americans
The Administration on Aging awards Title VI grants to Native American tribal organizations, native Alaskan organizations and nonprofit groups representing Native Hawaiians. Grants are used to fund supportive and nutrition services fol older Native Americans.
Grants for Services for Native Americans
The Administration on Aging awards Title VI grants to Native American tribal organizations, native Alaskan organizations and nonprofit groups representing Native Hawaiians. Grants are used to fund supportive and nutrition services fol older Native Americans.
Title VII
Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities
Title VII authorizes the long-term care ombudsman program to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The purpose of the program is to appoint an evaluator (ombudsman) to investigate and resolve complaints of residents of nursing facilities, board and care facilities, and other adult care homes. Other functions to be carried out by ombudsman include representing the interests of residents before governmental agencies and seeking administrative and legal remedies to protect their rights.
Under this program, states are required to carry out activities to make the public aware of ways to identify and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation and to coordinate activities of Area Agencies on Aging with state adult protective services programs.
Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities
Title VII authorizes the long-term care ombudsman program to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The purpose of the program is to appoint an evaluator (ombudsman) to investigate and resolve complaints of residents of nursing facilities, board and care facilities, and other adult care homes. Other functions to be carried out by ombudsman include representing the interests of residents before governmental agencies and seeking administrative and legal remedies to protect their rights.
Under this program, states are required to carry out activities to make the public aware of ways to identify and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation and to coordinate activities of Area Agencies on Aging with state adult protective services programs.
Source: National Health Policy Forum, October 2009, "The Basics, Older Americans Act of 1965," Carol O'Shaughnessy.