The Administration on Aging (AoA) is the Federal focal point and advocacy agency for older persons. Under the Older Americans Act, the AoA works closely with its nationwide network of State and Area Agencies on Aging and service providers to plan, coordinate, and develop community-based systems of services that help vulnerable older persons to remain in their own homes by providing supportive services and other programs. The nationwide Aging Network of State Agencies on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging offers programs to meet the social and human service needs of older persons. Older people can participate in a range of A0A-supported services at the State and local levels including nutrition, transportation, senior centers, and homemaker services. State and local programs such as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, legal services, outreach, public benefit and insurance counseling, and elder abuse prevention efforts, seek to protect the rights of older people. Older persons, their caregivers, or anyone concerned about the welfare of an older person can contact their Area Agency on Aging for information and referral to services and benefits in their community. Area Agencies on Aging are usually listed in the telephone directory under the city or county government headings. AoA's Eldercare Locator is a toll-free hotline providing information about assistance for older individuals anywhere in the Nation. When calling, please provide the older person's address and zip code.

ELDER ABUSE, ELDER CARE, GRANDPARENTING, RETIREMENT, AGING/ELDERLY, OLDER ADULTS