ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

The Older Americans Act and Services

What kinds of services does the Older Americans Act provide?

The act provides funding for a wide variety of services. These include education, social services, recreation, personal assistance, and counseling. It also makes available transportation, legal and financial assistance, career and retirement counseling, advocacy, long-term care ombudsman services, services for the disabled, crime prevention, elder abuse prevention, and volunteer services. In addition, your local area agency on aging can provide information and guide you to services in your community. These might include home helpers, money management agencies, or special discounts available to seniors. The specific services offered in each category vary depending on where you live.