Area Agency on Aging

The Older Americans Act was signed into law on July 14 1965. It established the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and called for the creation of State Units on Aging. The Older Americans Act, which was passed in the same year as Medicare, established the primary vehicle for organizing and delivering community-based services through a coordinated system at the state level.

Initially, the Act emphasized small grants to state agencies on aging to fund social services programs. Soon after, specific funding was authorized for state planning and coordinating activities. Through amendments in 1972, a major service component—the national nutrition program for the elderly—was added. In the 1980s, the act began focusing on health-related, long-term care services for the frail elderly who are at risk for institutionalization and the development of community-based long-term care structure began which meant significant state and local planning. In 2000, an amendment to the Act established the National Family Caregiver Program.

Nationwide some 629 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), authorized by the Older Americans Act, receive funds from their respective State Agencies on Aging to plan, develop, coordinate and arrange for services in each planning and service area. Oregon has seventeen AAA’s that allocate program funds, plan, develop, and coordinate systems of supportive in-home and community-based services. In Lane County, the Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services is Senior & Disability Services, a division of Lane Council of Governments. S&DS operates as a Type B 2 agency in that it contracts with the State to provide Medicaid, Oregon Project Independence (OPI) and Older Americans Act (OAA) programs to seniors and adults with disabilities, age 18-64.

Visit the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and the Administration on Aging website for more information

How can I find the Area Agency on Aging nearest me?
The Eldercare Locator is a national toll-free referral number funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) to assist older people and their families find community services for seniors anywhere in the country. Administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging in cooperation with the National Association of State Units on Aging, the Eldercare Locator connects callers to the best state and community sources of information and assistance to address the issues, needs, or concerns of older persons and their caregivers. For more information, see the Eldercare Locator page.

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A)
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) is the umbrella organization for the 629 area agencies on aging (AAAs) and more than 246 Title VI Native American aging programs in the U.S. Through its presence in Washington, D.C., N4A advocates on behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans. The fundamental mission of the AAAs and Title VI programs is to provide services which make it possible for older individuals to remain in their home, thereby preserving their independence and dignity. These agencies coordinate and support a wide range of home- and community-based services, including information and referral, home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, employment services, senior centers, adult day care and a long-term care ombudsman program.

For additional information on N4A, see the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging website.

Oregon Association of Area Agencies Aging and Disabilities (O4AD)
In 1992, the AAA's in Oregon established The Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging [O4A] as a non-profit organization that would represent their collective issues at the Oregon State Capitol. In 1998, the association changed its name to better reflect its membership and services to persons with disabilities, our name was changed to The Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities {O4AD}. O4AD members support some of the activities of this professional organization through the payment of annual dues based on Title XIX and OAA dollars. O4AD also generates its own income by hosting training conferences and Quarterly Business meetings. O4AD has an Executive Committee comprised of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary/Treasurer, Conference Co-Chairs, Legislative Chairs [federal and state], Senior Issues Committee Chair, and Disability Issues Chair.

O4AD is committed to promoting the well being, independence, choice and dignity of the seniors and persons with disabilities.

For additional information on O4AD, see the Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging website.

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