Older Americans Act Case Study

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Title I of the Older Americans Act is the Act’s overall statement of purpose. It is comprised of 10 bullet points referencing its “philosophical cornerstone” Wacker, R. R., & Roberto, K. A., (2014) pg 22. The OAA’s purpose is to “ensure equal opportunity to the fair and free enjoyment of: adequate income in retirement; the best possible physical and mental health services without regard to economic status; suitable housing; restorative and long term care; opportunity for employment; retirement in health, honor, and dignity; civic, cultural, educational and recreational participation and contribution; efficient community services; immediate benefit from proven research knowledge; freedom, independence, and the exercise of self determination;…show more content…
The AoA is responsible for managing, training, planning, and ensuring state and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) abide by policies referenced in Title I. The AoA also provides leadership on any policies involving older Americans and often influences the ways the policies are written. In addition to overseeing the execution of policies, the AoA is the only federal agency that has the authority to cross over agency boundaries to provide leadership on aging issues and programs. The director of the AoA, (the Assistant Secretary on Aging), is appointed by the president. AoA focuses on the health and long-term care of older people from a national…show more content…
Encouraging older Americans to utilize their resources needs to reach them on a more intimate level than the general services that are being offered. Perhaps incentive and more services for caregivers may also allow older Americans to be exposed to existing services. A well-written policy does not always translate to well-funded, well-managed or well-executed programs. It seems that there have been adequate systems in place within the OAA they are just grossly underfunded. People are living longer and the population of these elders is increasing and cannot be properly executed with a diminishing budget. Overall funding has declined from FY 2010 of $2.4 billion to $2 billion in FY 2012. Wacker, R. R. , & Roberto, K. A., (2014)Pg. 33. $400 million is a lot to have been cut for a population that was just projected to more than double in the next 15
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