The Aging Network
By Robert Goodman, MSW
The Aging Network is made up of agencies that provide services for seniors. Some of these agencies are government run and some are private. Eligibility, services provided, and costs vary from one agency to another.
To meet the diverse needs of the growing numbers of older persons in the United States, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965. The OAA created the state units on aging and the local area agencies on aging to fund local services. The OAA established the Administration on Aging (AoA) (www.aoa.gov) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The AoA is the federal agency that administers programs at the federal level. These programs provide assistance to older adults and their caregivers, as well as critical support services, such as nutrition and transportation for older adults at risk of being prematurely or unnecessarily institutionalized.
Many states and local governments sponsor programs that serve the aging community. These local services can include counseling, information and referral and other age-related services.
Area Agencies on Aging are the local agencies that provides information on aging issues, advocacy, and one-on-one assistance. Services include: · Foster Grandparent Program provides one-on-one teaching support for children. · SHINE Health Insurance Counseling Services. · Senior Advocacy Program delivering support to seniors in need. · Abuse Registry offers helpful information on how to identify and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors.
Palm Beach County Division of Senior and Veteran Services
Other services:
Other community-based services include home health care, senior centers, and adult day care centers. Senior centers offer programs and services in five main categories: health (including mental health), social, nutritional, educational and recreational. In a protective, non-institutional environment, Adult Day Care Centers provide daily therapeutic programs of social and health services as well as activities for adults who have functional impairments.