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Overview
 The Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments houses the Area Agency on Aging, which focuses on providing information, assistance, and advocacy for older adults and their families in the region. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life for older adults through home and community-based service alternatives. Specific program areas include legal assistance, home-delivered and congregate nutrition, as well as the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Family Caregiver Support Program, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
Mission of the Area Agency on Aging
The mission of the Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments' Area Agency on Aging is to assist older adults in Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin Counties to achieve and maintain “quality of life” by utilizing resources and services through advocating, coordinating, planning and educating.
Overview of the AAA
Area Agencies on Aging are federally mandated organizations that serve a variety of roles in assisting older adults and their families. In 1965, Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA). This Act created structures at the federal, state, and local levels to administer programs for older adults. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are the public or private non-profit agencies designated by the state to carry out the OAA at the local level. Area Agencies on Aging, state units on Aging, and local service providers make up a nation-wide aging network of organizations that provide services and assists older adults in their communities. Although services and programs vary slightly depending upon local community needs and resources, AAAs focus on the following activities:
Advocacy for all older Americans within their service area. The AAA has a special obligation to serve and advocate for groups that have traditionally been overlooked including low-income and minority seniors, disabled older adults, and seniors living in rural areas.
Administration of the Older Americans Act (OAA) funding, Home and Community Care Block Grant funds, and other funds that allow service delivery to occur.
Information and Referral - the AAA serves as a source of information for a wide variety of individuals, groups, businesses, and local organizations on a wide range of issues including available services, current and future demographic trends, policy issues affecting older adults, and volunteer opportunities.
The AAA also provides two direct services - the Ombudsman Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The Ombudsman Program offers assistance to, protects the rights of, and advocates for older adults in long-term care facilities. The RSVP program offers seniors volunteer opportunities in Forsyth County.
Updated: 03/09/2010 |
