The Future of Community Based

Services and Education

Rebecca Ralph
AET/508
Instructor: Connie Lorthridge

Background to the Older

Americans Act

Passed in 1965 in response the policymakers

provide community social services for Older
Americans
Original legislation established authority for grants
to states to provide these community social
services
Also established the Administration on Aging
Also includes community service employment for
low-income older Americans (
www.aoa.gov/AoA_programs/OAA/)

Increases in Population of
Older Americans

Persons 65 years or older numbered 39.6 million in 2009

which represented 12.9% of the U.S. population
By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million older persons;
expected to grow 19% of the population (
www.aoa.acl.gov/Aging_Statistics/index.aspx)
Racial and ethnic minority populations have increased from
6.1 million in 2002 (17% of the elderly population) to 8.9
million in 2012 (21%)
Racial and ethnic minority populations are projected to
increase to 20.2 million in 2030 (28%)

Chart of the Older American

Population Increase

Anticipated Changes
Older Americans Act Nutrition Program

Because of the rise in population of older Americans

changes in the Older Americans Act are a must need
When it comes to Nutrition amongst older Americans, about
60% are put on waitlists under the Older Americans Act
Nutrition Program (Lee 587)
Poor nutrition in older adults exacerbates diseases,
increases disability, decreases resistance to infection, and
extends hospital stays (588)
The goals of the OAANP is:

Improve the dietary intakes of participants, reducing hunger and food

insecurity
Offer opportunities for social interaction (588)

Anticipated Changes:
The Affordable Care Act
Another change to help the older population
is the Affordable Care Act
This Act offers wellness visits
Financing the ACA includes more than half a
trillion dollars of cuts to Medicare (Kaplan 19)
Many Medicare enrollees will probably be
required to make major changes in how they
receive their medical care (Kaplan 25)

Funding: What Are the

Options?

Private Sector
Agency on Aging can provide private services
deliveries for health care
Aim towards low income older adults

Cost Sharing
Making program dollars go farther
Congregate meal sites asked for private
donations to meet the needs of low income older
adults

Conclusion: 15 Years from Now

As the older adult population continues to grow

more and more programs are needed to reach all
older adults. These programs need to be
accessible and the needs need to be met across all
demographics. The way in which these programs
need to be funded will have to be through private
donations. If everyone in America is aware of the
countrys growing older population than there
should not be any trouble for these programs to be
funded. 15 years from now will be brighter.

References

Kaplan, Richard L. Older Americans, Medicare, and the

Affordable Care Act: Whats Really in it for Elders? Journal
of the American Society on Aging. Spring 2011, Vol. 35.1.
Lee, Jung Sun, et. al. Unmet Needs for the Older
Americans Act Nutrition Program. Journal of Applied
Gerontology, 2011 30:587.
Wacker, Robbyn R. Community Resources for Older Adults
2nd ed. Pine Forge Press, 2002.
www.aoa.gov/AoA_programs/OAA
www.aoa.acl.gov/Aging_Statistics/index.aspx