Federal Resources: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) “leads the federal government in conducting and supporting research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. The Institute seeks to understand the nature of aging and the aging process, and diseases and conditions associated with growing older, in order to extend the healthy, active years of life. Its Health & Aging Initiative features resources about Alzheimer's Disease, Caregiving, Disability, Doctor-Patient Communication, End of Life, Exercise, Healthy Aging and Longevity, Legal and Financial Planning, Memory and Cognitive Health, Men's Health, and Women's Health. The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) reports “Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965 in response to concern by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older persons. The original legislation established authority for grants to States for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging (AoA) to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the Federal focal point on matters concerning older persons. Although older individuals may receive services under many other Federal programs, today the OAA is considered to be the major vehicle for the organization and delivery of social and nutrition services to this group and their caregivers. It authorizes a wide array of service programs through a national network of 56 State agencies on aging, 629 area agencies on aging, nearly 20,000 service providers, 244 Tribal organizations, and 2 Native Hawaiian organizations representing 400 Tribes.”
State resources: The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) “represents the nation’s 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities and supports visionary state leadership, the advancement of state systems innovation and the articulation of national policies that support home and community based services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.” The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center is one example of NASUAD activities. Seniors and their families can find general services to help them at state websites such as Minnesota’s Long-Term Care Choices Navigator, and more specific information about issues such as housing at websites like this one maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Elder Affairs. They can get special services through programs such as the Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program. Georgia won the 2011 AoA Excellence in Action award for Outstanding Achievement in Changing Systems by a State. According to the Georgia Division of Aging Services, "the honor recognizes the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services for developing programs that improve services and support for older adults and people with disabilities. The Georgia programs that have attracted national attention help organizations coordinate activities and streamline processes to give older adults and people with disabilities more control over services and efficient access to information. Initiatives with widespread attention include the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), the Community Living Program (CLP), and the new Veterans-Directed Home- and Community-Based Services Program (VD-HCBS)."
The 2009 SSL Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act: establishes procedures for determining where jurisdiction lies in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings when the parties are not all in the same state;
provides for jurisdiction in states with a significant connection to the incapacitated person;
defines “significant connection;”
provides for cooperation between courts of different states;
allows for special circumstances if an incapacitated person is in a state that does not meet the “significant connection” standard;
provides procedures for the transfer of jurisdiction to another state; and
allows for registration of protective orders from other states.
