The Older Americans Act is a Federal program designed to organize, coordinate, and provide home and community-based services to older adults and their families to help elders remain in the community as independently as possible.
The Older Americans Act provides funding, through state and local agencies known as the Aging Network, for a range of services that include nutrition programs in the community and for homebound elderly; programs for Native American elders; services for low-income minority elders; health promotion and disease prevention activities; in-home services for frail elders; services that protect the rights of older persons such as the long-term care ombudsman program; and services and supports for family caregivers. While there are no specific financial eligibility criteria for Older Americans Act services, they are generally targeted for low-income, frail seniors over age 60, and minority elders and seniors living in rural areas.
Local agencies, called Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), in collaboration with State Agencies on Aging, plan and develop service and support programs based on the needs of elders and families in their respective areas.
