Fundamental to the leadership charges under the Older Americans Act are proactive collaborative planning and interdisciplinary coordination in order to avoid duplication of effort, contain costs, ensure service quality, and expand resources. As the public advocate, the AAA must monitor and evaluate community activities that affect the elderly and serve as the support base for the Ombudsman program within the planning and service area. Resources made available to the AAA are used to support activities intended to achieve all elements of a community based care system.
Area Agency on Aging Responsibilities
- Developing and administering area plans on aging and distributing funding to organizations to provide services.
- Directly administers case management, information assistance and referral services, outreach, SCSEP and SHIP.
- Advocating for continued development of home and community based services to maintain maximum independence and quality of life for seniors.
- Supporting the needs of special populations of the physically and mentally impaired, abused, neglected or exploited, and those of advanced age or without a caregiver to assist them when in need.
- Promoting healthy lifestyles through education and fitness programs.
- Representing the interests of local seniors at State and National levels.
- Generating resources for comprehensive and coordinated service systems.
- Monitoring and evaluating contracted services and grants.
