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The Older American Act
The Federal Law to Help Seniors
For the past 23 years, millions of senior citizens have benefitted from the services provided by a federal law called the Older Americans Act. The purpose of this Act is to serve those elderly in the greatest social and economic need, giving particular attention to low-income minority individuals and providing services and programs that assist them in maintaining their independence as well as their dignity. In fact, many of the 9 million elderly that the Act serves are able to avoid institutionalization because of the services provided.
The way the system works is as follows:
- Federal government's Older American Act establishes certain programs that must be implemented by the states and the federal government and provides the funds (or most of the funds) for these programs.
- Each state establishes a Department of Aging to implement the provisions of the Older American Act and acts as a unifying force for services to seniors. States also legislate to provide additional funds and other entitlement programs for senior citizens.
- States establish local Area Agencies on Aging that work with other private nonprofit agencies to implement the desired programs.
The Older American Act is divided by titles as follows:
- Title I -- DECLARATION OF OBJECTIVE --Sets out the broad national social policy objectives oriented toward improving the lives of all older Americans. These objectives are:
- an adequate income for retirement
- the best possible physical and mental health
- suitable housing designed and located to meet special needs
- full restorative services for those who require institutional care including a comprehensive array of community-based long-term-care services
- opportunity for employment without age discrimination
- retirement in health, honor, and dignity
- pursuit of civic, cultural, education and training, and recreational opportunities
- efficient community services with emphasis on maintaining a continuum of care for the vulnerable elderly
- benefits from research designed to sustain and improve health and happiness
- freedom for older persons to plan and manage their lives, participate in the planning and operation of services designed for their benefit, and protection against abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- Title II-- ADMINISTRATION ON AGING -- Established the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to administer the program. Also established the Federal Council on Aging--an advisory body to the president and to Congress.
- Title III-- GRANTS FOR STATE AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ON AGING -- Provides grants to state and area agencies on aging to develop supportive and nutrition services, to act as advocates on behalf of programs for older persons, and to coordinate programs for the elderly. The program supports 57 state agencies and 670 area agencies on aging. Funds are distributed on the basis of each state's population aged 60 or over as compared to other states. Title III is intended to form a "network on aging" linking AoA, state, and area agencies on aging, other public and private agencies, and social and nutritional services providers.
- Title III B--and some states provide Supportive Services -- includes a variety of services.
- Title III C -- NUTRITIONAL SERVICES -- A central focal point of the Older American Act for the past 15 years has been the nutrition program.
Title IV--TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND DISCRETIONARY PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
In recent years the following projects were supported:
- community-based long-term care
- adult literacy
- Alzheimer's disease support services
- training programs to assist persons employed or preparing for employment in the field of aging
- studies in the area of healthcare, housing, social studies, retirement roles, and the needs of low-income and minority older persons
- funding to support innovative approaches to provide services under this Act.
Title V -- SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM - (SCSEP).
Title VI -- GRANTS TO NATIVE AMERICANS
(For Indians and native Hawaiians) -- authorizes funds for social and nutritional services awarded directly to tribal organizations.
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Senior-site.com pages designed by Walter J. Cheney of Writers Consortium.
Copyright 1996, 1997 All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction of any portion of this website requires permission.
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