The Aging Evolution

The Area Agencies on Aging in Kansas are part of a national network of 629 AAAs and 246 Title VI organizations designated as the leaders on aging issues at the local level.  Area Agencies on Aging were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1973 to respond to the needs of older adults and caregivers in every local community.  AAAs are the “boots-on-the-ground” organizations charged with helping vulnerable older adults live with independence and dignity in their homes and communities.  Locally managed with federal, state and local funding resources, service delivery decisions are made at the community level: often in the private homes of the individuals who need services.  The AAA’s primary responsibilities include the following:

• Promote person-directed care
• Serve as a community planning agency to improve community services to seniors
• Act as an advocate for seniors
• Provide services which help seniors remain in the community and avoid unnecessary or premature moves from their homes
• Develop coalitions and networks of support for seniors and their caregivers to avoid or reduce the need for publicly funded services
• Coordinate services in its geographic area and manage its service area effectively and efficiently
• Help seniors live happier and more active lives through prevention and intervention

AAAs provide services that fall into five broad categories:

• Information and Access services
• Community Services
• In-Home services
• Housing
• Elder Rights

The Kansas Area Agencies on Aging deliver a core set of services:  funding for nutrition programs (congregate and home-delivered), in-home and community access services, programs to support physical health and fitness, and services that assist individuals who are caregivers for older adults.  As community needs were identified, AAAs responded by expanding services:

1989    Senior Care Act program (non-Medicaid, community-based)

1994    CARE (Client Assessment Referral and Evaluation) service

1997    Designated single point of entry; started Targeted Case Management for      frail elderly waiver participants until 2013

2012    Aging and Disability Resource Centers

2020    Administrative Case Management