Myths and Realities of the Aging Network: What Should I Know

摘要

The Aging Network is a formidable structure, made up of the well defined and211u001edynamic system that links the federal Administration of Aging (AoA) in the 211u001eDepartment of Health and Human Services, State Units on Aging (SUAs), Area 211u001eAgencies on Aging (AAAs), Title VI Grants to Indian Tribes, and local service 211u001eproviders. These Network components were established under the 1973 amendments to 211u001ethe Older Americans Act and each state has a designated State Unit on Aging that 211u001eexercises broad oversight. The AAAs are a group of 670 locally controlled and 211u001eoperated organizations that may be part of a local government, a regional 211u001eplanning Council, or an independent non-profit organization. Their service areas 211u001emay comprise a city, one or several counties, or even an entire state. Indian 211u001etribal organizations may also be designated as an Area Agency on Aging. As of 211u001e1996, 227 OAA Title IV programs exist which provide social and nutritional 211u001eservices for Native American elders if OAA Title III programs are not already 211u001eproviding adequate services. The thousands of local service providers that are 211u001ealso a part of the Aging Network include: senior centers, nutrition programs, 211u001elegal services, in-home service agencies, mental health centers, etc. What bond 211u001ethe Network together. The reality is that the Aging Network is uniquely designed 211u001eto support the federal role in transforming a patchwork of programs for the older 211u001epopulation into a locally coordinated service system. The ability to adapt to 211u001estate, tribal, and local needs and opportunities has been the foundation of the 211u001eNetwork's success.