Front Line Support for Seniors
In its four years of existence, the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) has brought on the forefront issues, problems and aspirations faced by seniors of Indian origin in USA. As an information, referral and advocacy entity, NIAASC has recognized that the most daunting problem seniors and their families face is lack of adequate and appropriate information about services for seniors. Through its four interactive conferences and three collaborative senior luncheon programs, live and Call-in TV appearances on issues of aging averaging twice a year, queries on its voice mail at its toll free telephone, and numerous visits to formal and informal senior programs in the NY-NJ metropolitan area we have reached one conclusion that seniors are in dire need of guidance with regard to the availability and process of procuring services for seniors.
It is important to understand distinction between early and recent immigrants because it is the later group, which faces these handicaps more acutely. Seniors who have lived in USA for decades, worked here and are entitled for all benefits, have basically adapted themselves to the American mainstream. Recent seniors who have arrived in the last 5-10 years, largely sponsored by their children, live with their children. Many of these recent seniors face serious adaptation problems, language and communication difficulties, and are basically confined to their family members as far as their exposure is concerned.
This article is intended to bring to the attention of seniors and caregivers Front Line Support System available through a national network of agencies. In generic terms, these agencies at the local level are known as Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), and at the state level as State Units on Aging. Local AAA is the Front Line Support for seniors.
What is an AAA?
An Area Agency on Aging is a designated local agency by the state to address concerns of all seniors of 60 years or older. An AAA could be a public agency run by the county or any other governmental entity or could be a not for profit organization designated under Internal Revenue Service Code as a 501C3 agency. An AAA is a comprehensive community-based services entity to meet needs of elderly; it provides information about available programs and services for seniors; and provides and administers funds through contracts with a number of service agencies addressing issues of seniors. In all there are about 650 local and state agencies throughout USA, which provide services to elderly.
How to locate your AAA?
The US Administration on Aging provides a public service through 'Eldercare Locator' established in 1991. Administration of this service is conducted by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging in collaboration with the State Units on Aging. It has a toll free telephone number and a web site, which can provide information and referrals to individuals about service entities in their local areas. Besides the location of local AAA and State Unit, the Eldercare Locator can also provide information about host of other services helpful to seniors, such as employment services, senior housing, adult day services. The Eldercare Locator telephone is 800- 677-1116 and is available weekdays from 9:00 in the morning to 8:00 in the evening (ET). Other times a caller can leave a message with name and telephone number and normally the call will be returned next business day. Its web site, available all the time is: www.eldercare.gov.
Role of NIAASC
In the event a senior of Indian origin is not able to communicate or does not feel comfortable enough to call Eldercare Locator, he or she can call the NIAASC toll free telephone number at 866-6-NIAASC (1-866-664-2272) and leave a message with his/her name and telephone number and a NIAASC volunteer will contact the caller and seek to address the problem or concern and research for the solution. NIAASC also can find out name and telephone number of AAA in local areas if the caller leaves name of his/her state and zip code. For convenience the web site of NIAASC has linkages with a number of governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations helpful to seniors. Its web site is: www.niaasc.org. NIAASC also publishes a periodical newsletter, which provides helpful information to seniors and their families.