Overview of the National Aging Network

OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL AGING NETWORK

Exhibit 1:  Declaration of Objectives for Older Americans

Section 101.

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 of 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

(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.

(4)  Full restorative 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.

(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, educational 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.

(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.

(42 U.S.C. 3001)

 

 

Exhibit 2:  Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act

As Amended in 2006 (Public Law 109-365).

 

The Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006 integrated the principal elements of AoA’s modernization agenda into the core of the Act. The Act now authorizes all levels of the Network to actively promote the development of consumer-centered systems of long-term care and emphasizes the use of a three-pronged strategy for advancing systemic changes at the state and community level. This strategy includes: empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their care options through Aging and Disability Resource Centers; enabling older people to live healthier lives through the use of evidence-based disease and disability prevention programs, and providing more choices to individuals, especially those at high-risk of nursing home placement and spend down to Medicaid, through the use of flexible service models, including consumer directed care options. (Strategic Action Plan 2008-2012)  Medicaid

 

Title I:    Declaration of Objectives; Definitions

 

Title II:   Administration on Aging

 

Title III:  Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging

      -    Part A  -  General Provisions

      -    Part B  -  Supportive Services and Senior Centers

      -    Part C  -  Nutrition Services

            Subpart  1  -  Congregate Nutrition Services

             Subpart  2  -  Home Delivered Nutrition Services

      -    Part D  -  Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services

      -    Part E  -  National Family Caregiver Support Program

 

Title IV: Training, Research, and Discretionary Projects and Programs

      -    Part A  -  Grant Programs

      -    Part B  -  General Provisions

 

Title V: Community Service Employment Program for Older Americans

 

Title VI:    Grants for Native Americans

       -   Part A  -  Indian Program

       -   Part B  -  Native Hawaiian Program

       -   Part C  -  Native American Caregiver Support Program

 

Title VII:   Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities

      --- Subtitle  A  -  State Provisions

           --    Chapter  1  -  General State Provisions

           --    Chapter  2  -  Ombudsman Programs

           --    Chapter  3  -  Prevention of Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

           --    Chapter  4  -  State Legal Assistance Development Program

      --- Subtitle  B   -  Native American Organization Provisions

      --- Subtitle  C   -  General Provisions

 

Exhibit 3:  National Aging Service Network

 

Working in close partnership with its sister agencies in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AoA is the official Federal agency dedicated to policy development, planning and the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older persons and their caregivers.  The AoA works through the national aging network of 56 State Units on Aging, 629 Area Agencies on Aging, 236 Tribal and Native organizations representing 300 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal organizations, and two organizations serving Native Hawaiians, plus thousands of service providers, adult care centers, caregivers and volunteers.