What Is an Area Agency on Aging
An Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a local nonprofit or government organization that serves as your entry point to aging services and programs in your region. There are 622 AAAs across the United States, each covering specific geographic areas, and they're funded through the Older Americans Act. When you contact your local AAA, you're connecting directly with case managers who assess needs, coordinate services, and help navigate Medicare/Medicaid coverage for home care.
How AAAs Help With Care Planning
The practical value of an AAA becomes clear when you need to arrange care for an aging parent or loved one. Your AAA case manager will conduct a comprehensive assessment of activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, toileting, and meal preparation. Based on that assessment, they'll develop a care plan that lists which services are appropriate and which funding sources cover them.
AAAs directly manage or refer you to services including home health aides, meal delivery programs, transportation, adult day programs, caregiver support groups, and respite care. Respite care is particularly important for family caregivers: your AAA can authorize and pay for temporary care services when you need a break, often with minimal or no cost depending on income eligibility.
Medicare, Medicaid, and AAA Coordination
An AAA doesn't provide home care directly, but it acts as a gatekeeper to publicly funded services. If your loved one qualifies for Medicaid waiver programs, the AAA case manager helps determine eligibility for services like home health aides, which can cost $18 to $25 per hour through private agencies but are fully covered under Medicaid. Some states cap Medicaid home care hours; your AAA helps you prioritize which services are most critical.
Medicare covers skilled nursing and physical therapy at home, but not custodial care or home health aides. Your AAA connects you to Medicaid programs that do cover aides, or helps identify grants and sliding-scale programs if you don't qualify for Medicaid.
How to Contact Your Local AAA
- Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, which directs you to your regional AAA
- Search online using your city or county plus "Area Agency on Aging"
- Ask your loved one's primary care doctor for a referral
- Once connected, request a comprehensive geriatric assessment to start your care plan
Common Questions
- Does AAA cost anything? No. AAA services are free to inquire about and assessments are free. Some AAA-referred programs are free based on income, while others are low-cost. Private services they refer you to (like home care agencies) charge standard rates.
- What if my parent needs home health aides but we can't afford private care? This is exactly when your AAA matters most. They'll apply for Medicaid waiver programs, Medicaid-funded home care services, or connect you to subsidized programs. The waiting list varies by state, but applying early gives you options.
- Can an AAA help with aging in place at home? Yes. AAAs specialize in keeping older adults living independently at home as long as safely possible. They coordinate the services, adaptive equipment, and caregiver support needed to make aging in place realistic.