PPA 419

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PPA 419 Aging Services Admin.

• Lecture 8a Aging and Social Services

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Older Americans Act

• The Congress hereby finds and declares that, in
  keeping with the traditional American concept of
  the inherent dignity of the individual in our
  democratic society, the older people in our
  Nation are entitled to, and it is the joint and
  several duty and responsibility of the
  governments of the United States, of the several
  States and their political subdivisions, and of
  Indian tribes to assist our older people to
  secure equal opportunity to the full and free
  enjoyment of the following objectives

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Older Americans Act

• (1) An adequate income in retirement in
  accordance with the American standard of living.
• (2) The best possible physical and mental health
  which science can make available and without
  regard to economic status.
• (3) Obtaining and maintaining suitable housing,
  independently selected, designed and located with
  reference to special needs and available at costs
  which older citizens can afford.

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Older Americans Act

• (4) Full restoration services for those who
  require institutional care, and a comprehensive
  array of community-based, long-term care services
  adequate to appropriately sustain older people in
  their communities and in their homes, including
  support to family members and other persons
  providing voluntary care to older individuals
  needing long-term care services.
• (5) Opportunity for employment with no
  discriminatory personnel practices because of
  age.

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Older Americans Act

• (6) Retirement in health, honor, dignity - after
  years of contribution to the economy.
• (7) Participating in and contributing to
  meaningful activity within the widest range of
  civic, cultural, education and training and
  recreational opportunities.
• (8) Efficient community services, including
  access to low-cost transportation, which provide
  a choice in supported living arrangements and
  social assistance in a coordinated manner and
  which are readily available when needed, with
  emphasis on maintaining a continuum of care
  for vulnerable older individuals.

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Older Americans Act

• (9) Immediate benefit from proven research
  knowledge which can sustain and improve health
  and happiness.
• (10) Freedom, independence, and the free exercise
  of individual initiative in planning and managing
  their own lives, full participation in the
  planning and operation of community-based
  services and programs provided for their benefit,
  and protection against abuse, neglect, and
  exploitation.

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Older Americans Act

• Aging in America
• Currently, 43 million Americans (or one in six)
  are 60 or older.
• Improved health and programs have made it
  possible for Americans to enjoy almost 14 years
  of retirement with a degree of economic security.

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Older Americans Act

• Aging in America (contd.)
• Nevertheless many at risk.
• The three million who are 85 or older.
• Those living alone without a caregiver.
• Members of minority groups
• Older persons with physical or mental
  impairments.
• Lower-income older persons, and
• Those who are abused, neglected, or exploited.

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Older Americans Act and the Administration on
Aging

• Older Americans Act of 1965 as amended calls for
  a range of programs that offer services and
  opportunities for older Americans, especially
  those at risk of losing their independence.
• Act established the Administration on Aging
  (AoA), an agency of the USDHHS, headed by the
  Asst. Secretary for Aging.
• AoA is the focal point and advocate agency for
  older persons and their concerns.

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Older Americans Act and the Administration on
Aging

• Information, referral, and outreach efforts to
  the community.
• AoA works closely with its nationwide network of
  Regional offices and State and Area Agencies on
  Aging to plan, coordinate, and develop
  community-level systems of services that meet the
  unique needs of individual older persons and
  their caregivers.

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Older Americans Act and the Administration on
Aging