Supportive Services and Senior Centers Program
Authorizing Legislation: Section 321 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended
The Purpose of the Program and How it Works
Home and Community-Based Supportive Services, established in 1973, provides grants to States and Territories using a formula based primarily on their share of the national population aged 60 and over. The grants fund a broad array of services that enable seniors to remain in their homes for as long as possible. These services include but are not limited to:
- Access services such as transportation, case management, and information and assistance;
- In-home services such as personal care, chore, and homemaker assistance; and
- Community services such as legal services, mental health services, and adult day care.
This program also funds multi-purpose senior centers that coordinate and integrate services for the older adults such as congregate meals, community education, health screening, exercise/health promotion programs and transportation.
Each State uses an intrastate funding formula to allocate funds to its area agencies on aging. Area agencies on aging have the flexibility to use their funds to provide the supportive services that best meet the needs of seniors in their planning and service areas.
Data Highlight Extensive Services Provided to Seniors
FY 2010 output data for Home and Community-Based Supportive Services give details on the services seniors received from this program which enabled them to remain independent in their homes and communities through:
- Transportation Services - over 27.5 million rides to doctor’s offices, grocery stores, pharmacies, senior centers, meal sites, and other critical daily activities.
- Personal Care, Homemaker, and Chore Services - more than 35 million hours of assistance to seniors unable to perform daily activities (such as eating, dressing or bathing) or instrumental activities of daily living (such as shopping or light housework)
- Adult Day Care/Day Health Services – over 10 million hours of care for dependent adults in a supervised, protective group setting during some portion of a twenty-four hour day.
- Case Management Services - over 4 million hours of assistance in assessing needs, developing care plans, and arranging services for older persons or their caregivers.
For more information on OAA service data see the Aging Network’s State Program Reports at:
http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Program_Results/SPR/Index.aspx
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Funding History
Funding for Home and Community-Based Supportive Services during the past six years is as follows:
FY 2011$367,611,000
FY 2010$368,348,000
FY 2009$368,490,000
FY 2008$351,348,000
FY 2007$350,595,000
FY 2006$350,354,000
FY 2005$354,136,000
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Resources and Useful Links
Eldercare Locator
The Locator connects older adults and their caregivers to service agencies in their area.
Website: http://eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Home.aspx
Back to top The National Center on Senior Transportation
The Center provides technical assistance, training and support for innovations in transportation for older adults at the community level.
Phone number: (866) 528-NCST (6278)
Website: http://www.seniortransportation.net
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The National Aging Information and Referral Support Center
The Center offers training, technical assistance, product development and consultation to the aging network.
Website: http://www.nasuad.org/I_R/ir_index.html
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National Institute of Senior Centers
The Institute serves as a vehicle for coordination, communication, action, and guidance to the senior center field on a national level.
Website: http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-senior-centers/
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center
The Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health includes professional resources, training programs and resources related to older adult mental health.
Website: http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/audience/adults/default.aspx
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American Bar Association (ABA)/Commission on Law and Aging
The ABA Commission on Law and Aging seeks to strengthen and secure the legal rights for seniors through research, policy development, technical assistance, advocacy, education, and training.
Website: http://new.abanet.org/aging/Pages/default.aspx
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National Adult Day Services Association
NADSA advances the national development, recognition and use of adult day services. Adult day service centers provide a coordinated program of professional and compassionate services for adults in a community-based group setting. Services are designed to provide social and some health services to adults who need supervised care in a safe place outside the home during the day. They also afford caregivers respite from the demanding responsibilities of caregiving.
Website: http://www.nadsa.org
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Last Modified: 2/15/2012 9:49:03 AM |
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