The Aging Network is the partnership between federal, state, tribal and local agencies which supports the work of those who provide assistance to all older Americans and their families nationwide. This partnership is the result of the 1965 Older Americans Act (OAA) which established the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Department of Health and Human Services.
Deeper dive
Federal, state and local government agencies are mandated by the Older Americans Act to channel funds and coordinate programs for older adults and their families. Private, nonprofit or church groups may sponsor these programs.
According to the National Care Planning Council, Area Agencies on Aging normally contract with local for-profit, nonprofit or public providers to deliver benefits. An agency may be allowed to directly provide supportive services, nutrition services or in-home services if it can prove a case for providing these services more effectively.
An agency may also directly provide case management services and information and assistance services, depending on the methods used for such services in that state. This issue brief from Leadership Council on Aging Organizations has more information on the history of the aging network, the growth of senior population and how further investments in social, nutrition and other community supports can help bend the health care cost curve on the mandatory side of the budget.
