About the Administration on Aging (AoA)
Kari Benson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
Alice Kelsey, Deputy Director
The Administration on Aging (AOA) is the principal agency of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services designated to carry out the provisions of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA), as amended (42 U.S.C.A. § 3001 et seq.). The OAA promotes the well-being of older individuals by providing services and programs designed to help them live independently in their homes and communities. The Act also empowers the federal government to distribute funds to the states, territories and tribes for supportive services for individuals over the age of 60.
Office for American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian Programs
Cynthia LaCounte, Director
In 1978, the OAA was amended to include Title VI which established programs for the provision of nutrition and supportive services for Native American elders (American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians) the program has since expanded to include caregiver support services. Eligible Tribal organizations receive grants in support of the delivery of home and community- based supportive services for their elders, including nutrition services and support for family and informal caregivers.
Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services
Stephanie Whittier Eliason, Director
AoA administers the elder abuse prevention, legal assistance development, and pension counseling programs funded through the OAA and leads the development and implementation of comprehensive Adult Protective Services systems in order to provide a coordinated and seamless response for helping adult victims of abuse and to prevent abuse before it happens.
Office of Long-term Care Ombudsman Programs
Kari Benson, Director
With funding from Titles II and VII of the OAA and other resources, Ombudsman programs operate in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Each state has an Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, headed by a full-time state ombudsman. As part of statewide ombudsman programs, thousands of local ombudsman staff and volunteers, assist residents and their families by providing a voice for those unable to speak for themselves.
Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs
Keri Lipperini, Director
AoA administers a broad range of evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs focused on nutrition services, falls prevention, behavioral health, chronic disease self-management education; HIV/AIDS education; oral health education, and general disease prevention and health promotion. Through its largest OAA program, AoA also funds nutrition services including home-delivered meals and congregate dining.
Office of Supportive and Caregiver Services
Greg Link, Director
For more than 35 years, the AoA has provided home and community-based services to millions of older persons and family caregivers through the programs funded under the OAA. Services provided include, but are not limited to chore, homemaker, transportation, adult day care, caregiver support, and respite.
Older Americans Act and Aging Network
To meet the diverse needs of the growing numbers of older persons in the United States, President Lyndon Johnson on July 14, 1965, signed into law the Older Americans Act (OAA). The OAA set out specific objectives for maintaining the dignity and welfare of older individuals and created the primary vehicle for organizing, coordinating and providing community-based services and opportunities for older Americans and their families. Visit the links below for more information about the network and community-based organizations working to support older adults:
AoA Programs
- Aging and Disability Evidence-Based Programs and Practices - The purpose of the Aging and Disability Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (ADEPP) is to help the public learn more about available evidence-based programs and practices in the areas of aging and disability and determine which of these may best meet their needs.
- Aging and Disability Resource Centers Program/No Wrong Door - These systems provide information and assistance around planning for long-term care needs.
- Behavioral Health - Through aging, behavioral health, and disability network partnerships, ACL offers programs and resources to help older adults, people with disabilities, and their family caregivers to maintain their health and well-being.
- Brain Health - ACL's Brain Health Resource offers resources on a range of brain health topics.
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs (CDSME) - Provide older adults and adults with disabilities with education and tools to help them better manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, HIV/AIDS, and depression.
- Elder Abuse Prevention - ACL commits resources to several important projects designed to meet the goals of coordinating federal elder justice efforts, exploring new prevention and intervention models, and providing up-to-date research and information to professionals and the public.
- Falls Prevention - Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for people 65 years of age and older.
- HIV/AIDS - Useful resources for aging professionals and others interested in designing programs for older adults about the prevention, treatment, and care of HIV/AIDS.
- Legal Assistance - Legal assistance and elder rights programs, along with other AoA programs and services, help to promote the independence, autonomy, and well-being of older persons.
- Lifespan Respite Care Program - Lifespan Respite Care programs are coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults of all ages with special needs.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program - States’ Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman programs work to resolve problems related to the health, safety, welfare and rights of individuals who live in LTC facilities (i.e. nursing homes, board and care, assisted living, and other residential care communities).
- Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers (MIPPA) - Provides grants to states and tribes to help older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers apply for special assistance through Medicare.
- National Family Caregiver Support Program - The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) provides grants to states and territories to fund various supports that help family and informal caregivers care for older adults in their homes for as long as possible.
- Nutrition Services - Provides grants to states to help support nutrition services for older people throughout the country.
- Oral Health - Resources for enhancing oral health of older adults across the country.
- Person Centered Planning - Allows individuals to be engaged in the decision making process about their options, preferences, values, and financial resources.
- Retirement Planning and Pension Support - AoA works to support older adults with two programs.
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - Since 1997, AoA has funded Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) projects that recruit and train retired professionals and other older adults to recognize and report instances or patterns of health care fraud.
- Services for Native Americans - ACL funds programs that support American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Americans in the areas of nutrition, supportive services for older adults, and caregiver services.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) - Provides Medicare beneficiaries with information, counseling, and enrollment assistance.
- Support for People with Dementia - ACL provides grants that support state and community efforts to increase the availability of dementia-capable services and supports to persons with Alzheimer's and related dementias and their caregivers.
- Supporting Adult Protective Services - Adult Protective Services (APS) is a social services program provided by state and local governments serving older adults and adults with disabilities who need assistance because of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation
- Transportation Research and Demonstration Program - Through an inclusive transportation program, ACL works with communities across the country to give travelers a voice in the planning process and to improve transportation options.
- Veteran-Directed Home & Community Based Services (VD-HCBS) - Provides veterans with opportunities to self-direct their LTSS and continue living independently at home.
- Volunteer Opportunities and Civic Engagement - AoA is working to support the use of volunteers in OAA programs and to provide expanded opportunities for older adults and others to get involved in their communities.