When you or a loved one needs help to stay safe and independent at home, it can be hard to know where to start. Area Agencies on Aging, often called AAAs, are designed to be that starting point. There are hundreds of them across the country, each serving a city, county or region.
They were created under the Older Americans Act to plan and provide services for people 60 and older, and many also serve adults with disabilities and family caregivers. Some go by other names, such as a council on aging or department of aging.
What Area Agencies on Aging can help with
Services vary by location, but many AAAs offer or connect you to:
- Information and referral: a person to talk to about your situation and the services that might help.
- Meals: home-delivered meals and community dining. See home-delivered meals and community dining programs.
- Transportation to medical appointments, shopping and senior centers.
- In-home services, such as personal care, homemaker help and chore services.
- Caregiver support, including counseling, training, support groups and respite care. See caring for a loved one without burning out.
- Health and wellness programs, such as falls prevention classes and chronic disease self-management workshops.
- Benefits counseling, including Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
- Legal assistance on issues such as benefits, housing and consumer problems.
- Elder abuse prevention and the long-term care ombudsman program, which advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living.
- Home modification and repair programs in some areas.
What it costs
Many services are free or low-cost, funded through the Older Americans Act, state and local governments, and donations. Some services ask for a voluntary contribution or use a sliding fee based on income. Your ability to pay usually does not affect your eligibility for core services.
How to find your local agency
- Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, weekdays, or search by ZIP code at eldercare.acl.gov.
- Dial 211 to reach local information and referral services.
- Ask your doctor's office, hospital social worker or senior center.
Tips for your first call
- Have a short summary of the situation ready: the person's age, where they live, health concerns and what kind of help is needed.
- Ask what services are available, whether there are waiting lists and what information you need to provide.
- Write down the name of the person you speak with and any next steps.
- If you are calling for a loved one, have their permission if possible.
Planning ahead
You do not have to be in a crisis to contact your Area Agency on Aging. Learning about local resources before you need them makes it easier to act quickly if your situation changes. Read aging in place and how to find benefits you may qualify for.
