by Larry Johnson
The Older Americans Act (OAA) authorizes the provision of services to support the independence, health, and well-being of eligible people 60 years of age and older, and the OAA is the principal funding source for local Area Agencies on Aging. Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) provide services to help people age 60 and older, their family members and caregivers. Services are targeted to those with greatest economic and social need. Particular attention is paid to people with low incomes, older people who belong to minority groups and older people residing in rural areas.
The programs and services offered by local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) can vary greatly from community to community, but highlighted in this document are some of the more common ones. If you are interested in any of these, contact your local Area Agency on Aging for more information.
Health and Wellness
Evidence-based programs are available for individuals 60 years of age and older, to enhance independence, quality of life, and overall health. All classes are free of charge.
Many AAA programs and services are carried out by volunteers trained and supervised by AAA staff. If you are interested in facilitating an evidence-based program as a volunteer, ask about the free training opportunities.
Benefits Counseling
AAA’s can offer one-on-one benefits counseling to individuals 60 years of age and older.
Direct services include:
Benefits Enrollment Center
- Educates older adults and persons with disabilities about available benefits
- Determines eligibility for multiple federal, state and private benefit programs
- Assists with completing and submitting applications, and compiling necessary documents
Benefits Counseling on:
- Medicare benefits
- Medicaid
- Long-term care insurance
- Low Income Subsidy (Extra Help)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Legal Assistance
- Wills
- Power of attorney
- Probate
- Advanced directives
- Divorce
- TODD – Transfer on Death Deed
- Adoptions, and custody for children being raised by a relative over the age of 55
- Adult guardianship
- Qualified income trust for the purpose of Medicaid eligibility
Weatherization Assistance Program
If available in your area, this program provides energy conservation measures to low-income households to help reduce energy costs.
The AAA Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is funded by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the United States Department of Energy. The program is designed to help low-income people overcome the high cost of energy through the installation of weatherization or energy conservation measures — at no cost.
Who is eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program?
A household that meets income eligibility requirements may be eligible for weatherization services.
What type of weatherization assistance is provided?
Weatherization assistance may include the following:
- Attic, wall, and/or floor insulation
- Weather-stripping and caulking
- Window glass pane repair
- Replacement of gas water heaters, space heaters, HVAC, or window air conditioning units that are operating inefficiently.
How does the Weatherization Assistance Program work?
The program consists of four steps:
1. An application to determine income eligibility.
2. An energy audit of the home by a professional inspector.
3. Installation of weatherization measures.
4. A final inspection to assure work quality completeness and client satisfaction.
An applicant may qualify for the WAP program, but the home may still be disqualified if the home has:
- Poor electrical wiring
- Foundation problems
- Roof leaks
- Plumbing problems
Are renters eligible for services? Yes. The owner of the home is required to sign a document allowing the AAA to weatherize the home. Check with your local AAA to find out if the program is offered in your area and if you are qualified to receive the service.
Caregiver Program
The National Family Caregiver Support Program exists through the Older Americans Act — to serve unpaid, primary caregivers who care for a loved one 60 years of age and older, or a loved one of any age with Alzheimer’s or other related dementias.
The Caregiver Program provides various direct services, resources and referrals that can include, but are not limited to:
- Information for caregivers about available services
- Assistance to gain access to available services
- Individual counseling, caregiver education and training
- Respite care and other in-home services
This program also includes some limited services for grandparents, or other relatives 55 years of age and older, raising children 18 years of age and younger.
Learn more about these services by contacting your local Area Agency on Aging.
Nutrition Program
This program provides a nutritionally balanced noontime meal, delivered to an individual 60 years and older who is assessed to be home-bound. A home visit to determine eligibility must be conducted by the area nutrition provider contracted by the Area Agency on Aging, such as Meals On Wheels.
Home Delivered Meals provide an opportunity for a home-bound individual to have face-to-face contact with a caring individual, such as the delivery driver, who can also provide a valuable assessment of the individual’s health and well-being.
A congregate meal is a nutritionally balanced meal that is served in a specific location, such as a senior or community center near home. Congregate meal service is provided to adults 60 years and older, who are mobile. The setting allows older adults to meet and socialize with others and participate in scheduled activities prior to the meal.
In order to qualify for the program, individuals must be at least 60 years old, and must complete an enrollment form.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Here is an opportunity for some who may want to volunteer. Residents who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities often need an advocate to ensure that their rights, health and well-being are protected.
As a volunteer ombudsman, you will receive the training and opportunity to learn how to become a resident-directed advocate on behalf of those individuals. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen investigate concerns, report findings and help achieve resolutions. You would help to educate residents in Resident Rights, provide information and assistance about selecting a long-term care facility and how they operate, and work cooperatively to recommend regulatory and legislative changes that affect older Americans.
With most AAA’s the training program is entirely virtual. Classes are typically two hours in length and are held two nights a week and run for 8 weeks. Upon successful completion of the training program, you will be certified as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman in your state.
After certification, and having attended both accompanied and unaccompanied visits with a staff ombudsman, you will have the opportunity to become the Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman for your preference of a nursing home or assisted living facility in your area. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen volunteers are asked to visit at least twice per month and submit (electronically) a monthly activity report detailing their visit and findings. Because the AAA staff is investing time in the training, they do ask for a commitment of one year.
This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to the sighted world that even though we may be blind or have low vision, we are still able and eager to be useful to our community as a volunteer.
Fall Prevention Program
Most Area Agencies on Aging — and many senior centers — offer classes in fall prevention for persons 60 years of age and older. One such program is called A Matter of Balance. It is a nationally recognized evidence-based certification program developed at the Roybal Center at Boston University.
It’s a program designed to reduce both the risk and the fear of falling while, at the same time, increasing the activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to view falls and the fear of falling as something they can control. They learn how to change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and they learn to practice a daily exercise regimen which increases their strength and balance.
Classes are 8 sessions of two hours each, taught by certified volunteer trainers, and they are free. You can sign up for a class already being scheduled or get a group together at your church, civic center or among your chapter members and the AAA will provide the trainers and training materials.
For more information about these and other programs and services which may be offered in your area, call your local Area Agency on Aging.