The Older Americans Act, (OAA), Title IIIE turned 50 this month. It was enacted in 1965 and signed by President Lyndon Johnson. The OAA covers persons over age 60. Over the years, its mandates to protect and provide care for elders have been enlarged. In honor of this birthday, the OAA has a variety of free publications, audio, and visual files. For more information, please go to The Older Americans Act: Aging Well Since 1965
One of the programs dear to my heart is the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), section 71 of OAA, administered by the Administration for Community Living under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The NFCSP offers education, training counseling and some forms of respite for family caregivers. For more detailed information go to the ACL – Administration For Community Living website.
- Are you over 18 & providing caregiving to a person over age 60?
- Are you 18 providing caregiving to an Alzheimer’s patient of any age?
- Are you a grandparent, age 55+, caring for children younger than 18?
- Are you a grandparent or other relative (not the parent) caring for a disabled person between the ages of 18-59?
If so, contact your local Area Agency on Aging for these free services. NFCSP’s goal is to “explicitly recognize the important role that family caregivers occupy in our nation’s long term services and supports system”.
