Administration on Aging (AoA)

In 2005, around 36.8 million Americans were over the age of 65, comprising some 12.4 percent of the total population. It has been estimated that as the baby boomer generation ages, this population will rise to 71.4 million by 2030, making up a fifth of the total population. Located at One Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C., the Administration on Aging (AoA) operates under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide services to elderly Americans, caregivers, and local communities that serve this expanding population.

AoA was created and funded through the Older Americans Act of 1965. Direct services include the home-delivery meal program, adult day care, transportation for seniors, nursing care representation, health-care and promotion, and counseling. Support for families of the disabled or chronically ill is provided through the National Family Caregiver Support Program. The mission of AoA is to allow the elderly to maintain healthy, independent lives as long as possible and to live out their lives in dignity. AoA is also involved in preparing society to deal with America's aging population. The AoA is led by the Assistant Secretary for Aging who oversees the activities of 10 regional support centers that are geographically organized.

AoA's focus areas are: support, nutrition, prevention, information, and rights protection. Support for individuals may range from performing minor home repairs to furnishing transportation to doctors’ offices or to the grocery store. Since 2000, support for caregivers has been funded through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), which offers counseling, information, and assistance. AoA's Nutrition Program has served around six billion meals to America's elderly since its creation. Meals are provided at senior citizens’ centers or delivered directly to homebound individuals. Much of the work of AoA is accomplished with the help of volunteers. AoA's prevention program focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles that may circumvent chronic diseases and lengthen life spans. Special assistance is offered to Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, [Page 17]grandparents who are raising grandchildren, and elderly caregivers of children and adolescents with mental incapacities or developmental difficulties. Activities geared toward protecting the rights of older Americans range from financial counseling to investigations into elder abuse and consumer fraud. Information on elder care is available through AoA's hotline (800-677-1116) or from the Web site (http://www.aoa.gov).

The AoA serves America's elderly, who are expected to number 71.4 million, or a fifth of the total population, by 2030.

The Older Americans Act of 1965 also established the National Network on Aging, which is a partnership among national, state, tribal, and local communities. Made up of 56 state units, 655 area units, 233 tribal and native units, and two Hawaiian units, the network has served around seven million seniors and their caregivers since its creation. Most of the network's clients are the economically disadvantaged, those who are geographically isolated, and those who experience social and health disparities.

Other legislation has supplemented the work of AoA and expanded protections for the elderly. For instance, amendments to the Social Security Act established Medicare (Title XVIII) and Medicaid (Title XIX) to provide the elderly with health insurance and financial assistance. In 1967, Congress made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of age. Amendments in 1973 established grants to local communities to establish senior citizens’ centers and to set up an employment program for individuals over 50 years of age. The following year, housing assistance grants for low-income seniors were instituted. In 1987, major nursing home reforms were enacted to protect the health and well-being of the elder population who are unable to live independently.

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