Community needs assessment – let your voice be heard

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act. Sadly, however, many individuals do not realize the importance of this Act and the infrastructure it created for the aging network. 

In 1965, Congress enacted the Older Americans Act (OAA) to create a system of home and community-based services for older adults, aiming to help them remain independent and connected to their communities. The Act provides funding and resources for a wide range of social and  health-related services, including meals, transportation, in-home care and caregiver support. 

This nationwide infrastructure of support includes State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), and other service providers. The mission is  to help older adults maintain independence in the setting they choose (both home and community-based) and promote a continuum of care. 

Congress passed this important piece of legislation to expand and enhance community social services for older adults through State Units on Aging. The legislation also established the authority for states to receive grants to address community planning, social services, research, and training for personnel working in the field of aging. Throughout the years, subsequent reauthorization of this legislation established the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, created the Administration on Aging (AoA), and in 1973, the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).  

AAAs were established to provide support at the local level. AAAs serve as the “boots on the ground” team that is in touch with the specific needs of the counties they serve. Ohio has 12 AAAs that cover all 88 counties. 

One of the main ways AAAs identify local needs is by conducting a local needs assessment. This consists of standardized questions that provide demographic information in addition to insight on the concerns, challenges, and gaps in services that most impact our communities. 

Currently, we are in the process of conducting the 2025 local needs assessment and we need your feedback. Your input will help us determine the focus areas to address in our Strategic Plan. Surveys are available on our website at www.aaa7.org at the bottom of the Home Page, or you can find a link with the post on our Facebook and LinkedIn social media pages. Let your voice be heard and fill out a survey today.

To find out more about the AAA7 and all the programs we offer, contact us at 1-800-582-7277 or email info@aaa7.org.