Welcome to Its About Seniors
For a permanent link to this article, click here
Community Agency For Seniors
from: Its About SeniorsThe Older Americans Act, or OAA, was signed into law on 14 July, 1965. This law, and its amendments, established and funded the Areas on Aging that have become parts of many communities across the county. This community agency for seniors has slowly developed into a major organization provided a variety of services and information to older Americans and their families. The authorization of 2000, established the National Family Caregiver Support Program, to help provide support for the increasing numbers of caregivers who support an elderly relative.
The OAA was to be reviewed in 2005, but the United States Congress only continued the program as it had been. That program included the concept that all seniors should have access to legal assistance, transportation services, meals, nursing home ombudsmen, elder abuse prevention and opportunities for employment. The law mandates that every state have its own community agency for seniors. All seniors should have access to the agency through their local communities.
Many components of this important community agency for seniors are aimed at helping the frailest of the elderly remain as active and healthy as possible. These seniors also should have the right to be treated fairly and well. Each community can construct its own community agency for seniors to serve its senior population in the most appropriate way, befitting the needs of the seniors and the community.
Subsequent modifications to the original act authorized local communities to have access to funding in order that each community could create a community agency for seniors that was appropriate, useful and fit the needs of the local seniors. Many communities have established a variety of health related programs that can offer health promotion and disease prevention programs for the local seniors. Many communities can offer some form of nutrition and meal programs as part of their local community agency for seniors. Congregate meals as well as the familiar Meals on Wheels programs were able to be established through the OAA.
Since the number of seniors is expected to increase greatly in the next ten years, the next review and authorization of the Older Americans Act is viewed as important. If funding isn't increased and if the numbers of seniors does grow rapidly as expected, many of the current programs may need to be cut, simplified or have increased waiting times. Some people believe that the people who will become eligible for the local community agency for seniors in the future may not need the services as much as seniors in the past needed them. Anyone who expects to become a senior in the next decade or two should become interested in the legislation related to the OAA and its components.
If anyone wants to access more information on the OAA, this web site may be helpful:
http://www.tcsg.org/law/oaa/reauth.htm
Department Health Jersey New Senior Services News
Senior care franchises: Slam dunk money makers? - Arlington Heights Daily Herald
As Americans continue to age, a senior care franchise that helps Mom and Dad live at home would seem to be a slam dunk way to make money. But nothing is a slam dunk. • Rudy VanDerLaan, for the past two years has served as part owner of a ...
Read more...Protecting Ontario seniors from abuse in nursing homes - Toronto Star
Ontario has strong legislation to care for and protect 77,000 seniors in its nursing homes. Now here’s the bad news: it’s “not enough to eliminate abuse and neglect in all long-term care homes.” Indeed, that finding comes from a task force created ...
Read more...Fall-proof your senior’s home - Idaho Statesman
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in every three adults 65 or older falls each year, which can lead to serious injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, causing more drastic senior care needs. Among this age group ...
Read more...UPMC to host National Senior Health & Fitness Day at Pittsburgh Zoo - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
karaoke and preventive health care services, including blood pressure readings and bone density tests. Participants can also receive health-related materials to take home. The 19th annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day is expected to attract more ...
Read more...Public Invited to Talk Live with COO of Nation's Largest Assisted Living Provider - Yahoo Finance
Nearly three in four people in that age group require long-term care services at some point. "Our organization talks with hundreds of thousands of families every year and we know the financial aspect of senior care can seem overwhelming," said Hyatt. "
Read more...