Resources for the Senior Citizens: Exploring Local Support Services
In the United States, community services play a crucial role in supporting the elderly population, offering a wide range of assistance from healthcare to companionship. These services are primarily governed and funded by the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), with 622 AAAs nationwide.
The Older Americans Act (OAA), passed in 1965, serves as the foundation for these community services. The OAA was born out of concern for the state of healthcare services offered to the older adult population. The governance of community services for the elderly involves multiple agencies, but the primary federal oversight lies with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ACL develops strategies and coordinates support for family caregivers and community-based services for the elderly. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) oversee Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which support elderly care in home and community settings, often through Medicaid waivers.
The Department of Justice, through its Elder Justice Initiative, also plays a role by focusing on enforcement against elder abuse, neglect, and fraud, indirectly supporting elderly community services by protecting older adults. Other organizations like the Joint Commission set accreditation standards relevant to assisted living communities, helping ensure quality care delivery within community-based elder services.
One of the key services provided by community services is the Friendly Visitors program, suitable for seniors above 60 years of age who wish to live an independent life. This program, added to the OAA in 1967, aims to provide mental nourishment to isolated older adults. Volunteers spend 16-20 hours a week visiting seniors, checking on their physical and mental health, and offering assistance with domestic chores.
Another essential service is Meals on Wheels, which delivers cooked food packages to seniors with partial or diminished mobility. Operated in collaboration with 5000 locally run programs, Meals on Wheels is free for seniors who cannot afford or cook their meals. Home-making services, funded by the Area Agency of Aging (AAA) and non-profit organizations like DADS (Department of Aging and Disability Services), are also available for seniors who are 60 years or older and functionally impaired.
Information and referral services offer demonstrations of assistive technology for activities of daily living, aiming to improve the physical and mental well-being of seniors. These services help find services, products, or information needed by caregivers and the elderly, and also provide education on various subjects. Transportation assistance programs under the Older Americans Act help seniors who cannot drive, offering home delivery services and ride-sharing options with other seniors.
Community services aim to ease the job of caregivers who are juggling work and caregiving responsibilities. By providing companionship, assistance with daily tasks, and access to essential services, these programs enable both the caregiver and the older person to live comfortably.
The Friendly Visitors program, funded by the federal and state government, is an excellent example of the positive impact community services can have on the lives of older adults. These services not only provide practical support but also offer mental nourishment and companionship, helping seniors maintain their independence and quality of life.
- The Friendly Visitors program, an initiative under the Older Americans Act, offers mental nourishment and companionship to elderly individuals, demonstrating the role of community services in providing caregiving for those with dementia and other health-and-wellness concerns.
- In partnership with organizations like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Administration for Community Living develops strategies to support family caregivers and community-based services, including science-based caregiving practices aimed at enhancing the health and wellness of seniors with dementia.
