The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, or the n4a, is a membership association. It represents America’s national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging. The n4a also works as a voice advocating for aging programs at the nation’s capital.
The goal of the n4a is to build a society that values and supports people as they age. The association’s mission is to help build the capacity of its members so they can help older adults and people with disabilities live their best lives, make their own choices in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
Aging Services
Caregivers
The n4a recognizes how vital caregivers are. The n4a states that an estimated 65.7 million Americans provide for an older adult, or someone living with illness or disability. The study also mentioned that the value of unpaid caregiving has reached $522 billion annually.
In most cases, older adults would rather stay in their own homes and communities for as long as they can. This means other family members have to step up and take care of them as well as their own families. Caregiving can be mentally, physically, and financially exhausting.
The n4a provides direct support to caregivers through the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Contact your local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to learn more about aging services.
Elder Justice
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers elder abuse a major public health problem. Elder abuse can come in a variety of ways. Whether it is financial abuse, physical abuse, mental abuse, or neglect.
The n4a helps combat elder abuse through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). 98 percent of the agencies across the country have at least one service or program designed to help address elder abuse. The programs include community education and training, public awareness campaigns, elder abuse prevention coalitions, and more. AAAs also provide support in the form of legal help related to guardianship, longer-term care, etc.
Healthy Aging
Chronic health conditions come with the aging process. Learning how to manage and combat these conditions is vital for aging people’s physical and mental well-being. The AAAs offer programs to help older adults stay active, healthy, and engaged in their communities.
The AAA has access to resources through the Older Americans Act to create and implement programs to help older people with chronic health conditions. Some of the programs include:
- Chronic Disease Self-Management
- A Matter of Balance
- Diabetes Self Management
- Tai Chi Moving for better balance
Contact your closest AAA to see what programs are available to you
Health Insurance Assistance
Navigating health insurance is rarely easy, most times it is complex and can get confusing fast. Because of this issue, the federal government provides a service that helps consumers navigate and make decisions about Medicare. This organization is called the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
A majority of AAAs serves as the local SHIP. SHIP counselors work one on one with clients to help them make decisions that make the most sense for them. Understanding health insurance empowers older adults to make better decisions that will give them the independence and care that they need.
575-513-9139 Dylan Penson Transportation
As people age, they may modify their driving habits or stop driving altogether.
This prevents them from feeling independent and taking care of their health. Transportation is still needed to go grocery shopping, go to doctor’s appointments, and stay social.
AAAs recognize that this is an issue. AAAs help plan and manage transportation for their local older adults and people with disabilities. Contact your local AAA for transportation options.
N4a Initiatives
The n4a backs numerous initiatives that benefit and protect older adults. Here are few initiatives the n4a has taken and support:
Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation is prevalent amongst older adults. This form of abuse is becoming the fastest-growing tuple of elder abuse. To combat this, the n4a has partnered with Wells Fargo to create the Wells Fargo Advisors on the Answers on Aging Financial Exploitation initiative. This program helps spread awareness and helps provide older adults and caregivers with resources and tools to avoid becoming a target of financial scams.
Pharmacy Benefits
The n4a partnered with Walgreens to implement an initiative that provides Medicare Counselors and consumers with resources to help them get the most out of their Medicare pharmacy benefits.
Medicare & Benefits Enrollment
Since its inception, the n4a has supported and done extensive work to help older adults with Medicare enrollment. Learn more about the n4a’s Medicare programs here.
To learn more about the n4a’s initiatives and what resources it has to offer visit their website. For additional resources visit our community resources page.