House and U. Originally enacted in , the Older Americans Act OAA supports activities that help older adults live independently and remain part of the community. The U. Only those promoting part-time employment opportunities and community service activities for seniors fall separately under the Department of Labor. These core services vary depending on local needs, but often include transportation, nutrition, support for caregivers, recreation, in-home assistance, disease prevention and more. The OAA also authorizes funding for training, research and demonstration projects in the field of aging as well as grants for services for Native Americans and elder rights activities.
States receive Title III Grants according to a formula based on their share of the nation's population of individuals 60 and older. States then pass these funds to Area Agencies on Aging AAAs , which coordinate programs and services for senior citizens at the local level. Counties are key recipients of these dollars and frequent administrators of these programs.
Roughly 25 percent of the AAAs across the nation operate within county governments, while another 28 percent operate within regional planning councils or councils of governments that often include counties. Meanwhile, 56 percent of AAAs rely on local funding streams through counties or other local governments to provide additional programs and services. Federal funding for OAA programs has not kept pace with these demographic changes. Without additional resources, counties will face new challenges in providing the rapidly aging population with access to critical services.
The Supporting Older Americans Act not only reauthorized the OAA for 5 years but provided a critical increase in the authorized funding level for core services: 7 percent in the first year FY and 6 percent annually for the next four years, FY through FY However, programs under OAA are discretionary and subject to the annual appropriations process, meaning Congress may not provide the full increase allowed for in the reauthorization.
In general, private payment for services occurs when individuals pay the full cost of the services they receive. The Older Americans Act does not forbid older adults from praying before a meal at a senior center or some other location that provides a meal with funding from the OAA. The AoA recommends that each nutrition program adopt a policy that ensures that each individual participant has a free choice whether to pray either silently or audibly, and that the prayer is not officially sponsored, led or organized by persons administering the Nutrition Program or the meal site.
Are bible studies and other religious activities allowed at Title III funded program sites? Title III funded programs may not use OAA funds or local matching funds to support inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization.
If the organization engages in such activities, it must offer them separately, in time or location, from the programs or services funded with OAA funds, and participation must be voluntary. This restriction does not mean that an organization that sponsors the Title III program i. To what extent does the OAA now encourage the Aging Services Network to implement self-directed care options in all service categories? State agencies on aging, area agencies on aging, and Tribes have the opportunity to expand the decision-making roles of consumers in the type, amount, management and budgeting of the home and community-based services they receive.
Through effective and efficient models, including cash and counseling vouchers, expanded service choices, etc. Can Title III service funds be used to provide fiscal management services FMS related to nursing home diversion and other home and community based programs designed to maintain older adults in the community?
FMS supports self directed programs by assisting individuals with enrollment, payroll and employment tax issues, and by performing fiscal accounting and expenditure reporting to the individual and to the sponsoring program. Is this Model required to complete the State Plan? The Plan Model states that the Plan Narrative is to be 20 pages. Is this an absolute limit? It is available to assist States in the development of the State Plans.
While strongly encouraged, its use is not required in law or regulation. This web based tool will provide the resources necessary to develop a comprehensive, yet concise, State Plan on Aging. It is a recommendation that the State Plan be 20 - 30 pages in length with the opportunity to attach data and other reports in appendices. Some states may need more narrative, but clarity and conciseness are the intended result.
What implications do the new targeting provisions create for service delivery and long-term care modernization? The revision and addition of these two groups assures that the Aging Network will prioritize the provision of services to those individuals in greatest need of long-term care services, and address the specific needs of such individuals in all aspects of planning, advocacy and resource development.
In some communities, such isolation may be caused by minority religious affiliation. Does the Reauthorization include specific opportunities to more fully coordinate transportation services? In recognition of the importance of the role of the Aging Services Network, AoA entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Transit Administration in January As a result of this collaboration, AoA has become a key partner at the federal level in promoting the coordination of transportation across programs and agencies.
The Reauthorization contains specific requirements for States and area agencies to develop and implement comprehensive and coordinated systems for home and community-based services, including transportation. States and communities are encouraged to use the resources available at the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center , to assist in developing and enhancing coordinated transportation services. Programs administered by the Federal Transit Administration e.
With this option, the Aging Network is afforded additional opportunities to better meet local transportation needs and further the goals of United We Ride, including providing more rides for the same or fewer assets, facilitating access to services and increasing customer satisfaction.
A local transportation provider receiving Title III funds for transportation services may only use such funds for the transport of seniors and caregivers who are escorting seniors. Such services must be part of the overall comprehensive system of services in the planning and service area. First federal funds appropriated for social service programs for older persons under the Social Security Act.
Special Staff on Aging established within the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, to coordinate responsibilities for aging. Housing act authorized a direct loan program for non-profit rental projects, for the elderly at low interests rates, and lowered eligibility ages for public-low-rent housing, for low-income women to age Social Security Administration eliminated age 50 as minimum for qualifying for disability benefits, and liberalized the retirement test and the requirement for fully insured status.
Social Security Amendments lowered the retirement age for men from 65 to 62, liberalized the retirement test, and increased minimum benefits and benefits to aged widows.
Legislation introduced in Congress, to establish an independent and permanent Commission on Aging. Older Americans Act signed into law on July 14 Older Americans Act extended for two years, and provisions made for the Administration on Aging to study the personnel needs in the aging field.
The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies for multi-purpose senior centers, and created the Community Service Employment grant program for low-income persons age 55 and older, administered by the Department of Labor.
These programs included protective services, homemaker services, transportation services, adult day care services, training for employment, information and referral, nutrition assistance, and health support. Housing and Community Development Act enacted; provided for low-income housing for the elderly and handicapped, pursuant to the Housing Act of National Institute on Aging created to conduct research and training related to the aging process, and the diseases and problems of an aging population.
Title V of the Farm and Rural Housing Program of expanded to include the rural elderly as a target group. Older Americans Act Amendments required changes in Title VII nutrition program, primarily related to the availability of surplus commodities through the Department of Agriculture.
The old Title V became the Community Service Employment grant program for low-income persons, age 55 and older created under the amendments as Title IX. Congregate Housing Services Act authorized contracts with local public housing agencies and non-profit corporations, to provide congregate independent living service programs. OAA amendments required each state to establish a long-term care ombudsman program to cover nursing homes.
Older Americans Act reauthorized; emphasized supportive services to help older persons remain independent in the community. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act provides for nursing home reform in the areas of nurse aide training, survey and certification procedures, pre-admission screening an annual reviews for persons with mental illness. Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act added six additional distinct authorization of appropriations for services: in-home services for the frail elderly; long-term care ombudsman; assistance for special needs; health education and promotion; prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and outreach activities for persons who may be eligible for benefits under supplemental security income SSI , Medicaid, and food stamps.
Additional emphasis was given to serving those in the greatest economic and social need, including low-income minorities.
Americans with Disabilities Act extended protection from discrimination in employment and public accommodations to persons with disabilities. Age Discrimination in Employment Act made it illegal, in most circumstances, for companies to discriminate against older workers in employee benefits. Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act places increased focus on caregivers, intergenerational programs, protection of elder rights and calls for a White House Conference on Aging.
The legislation emphasized the value of the four programs coordinating their efforts. Fernando M. Jeanette C. Takamura, Ph. Department of Health and Human Services on December 8, Older Americans Act Amendments of signed into law P. OAA was reauthorized for 5 years on October 17, Administration for Community Living established on April 18, , bringing together the Administration on Aging, the Office on Disability and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Get instructions for navigating this site Search Search. Mental Health Mental health is referenced numerous times throughout the amendments to the Older Americans Act. Although the Amendments include no specific requirements for States regarding the new Title II mental health provisions, there are significant opportunities for States to: - Ensure that mental health programs and services are aware of the role ADRCs play in connecting consumers with resources to meet their needs.
Payer of Last Resort If services are being provided to an older adult under the Older Americans Act, should the OAA continue providing payment for services if the person is later determined eligible for the same services under a Medicaid waiver?
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