The Administration on Aging awards OAA funds for
supportive home and community-based services to the
State Units on Aging (SUAs), which are located in
every state and U.S. territory. SUAs are agencies
of state and territorial governments designated by
governors and state legislatures to administer, manage,
design and advocate for benefits, programs and services
for the elderly and their families and, in many states,
for adults with physical disabilities. The term "state
unit on aging" is a general term: the specific
title and organization of the governmental unit will
vary from state to state and may be called a Department,
Office, Bureau, Commission, Council or Board for the
elderly, seniors, aging, older adults and/or adults
with physical disabilities. Regardless of the exact
title, these state government agencies all share a
common agenda of providing the opportunities and supports
for older persons to live independent, meaningful,
productive, dignified lives and maintain close family
and community ties.
Funding for programs is allocated to each SUA based
on the number of persons over the age of 60 in the
state. Most states are divided into planning and service
areas (PSAs), so that programs can be tailored to
meet the specific needs of older persons residing
in those areas.
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