Title II of the Older Americans Act established the Administration on Aging (AoA). AoA is within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Administrator of the AoA is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and reports directly to the Secretary of the DHHS. In other words, the power to administer the Older Americans Act was given to the DHHS; however, the AoA has considerable authority within the DHHS through seven authorities assigned specifically to it in the Older Americans Act.

The seven specific authorities assigned to AoA are:

1. to serve as an information clearinghouse
2. to provide technical assistance to the Secretary of DHHS
3. to develop research and demonstration plans
4. to provide federal assistance to states
5. to publish educational materials
6. to gather statistics
7. to stimulate broader utilization of services to include older people

AoA has ten regional offices. AoA allocates funds based on the size of the 60 plus population in each state. Each state then makes allocations to their Area Agencies on Aging. AoA also administers a program designed to meet the special needs of Native American elders.

Our regional office is:

Region IV Administration on Aging 101 Marietta Tower Suite 903 Atlanta, GA 30323 (404-331- 5900)

The federal office is:

U.S. Administration on Aging Office of Management and Policy 330 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 (202-245-0641)

For more information, go to the U.S. Administration on Aging website.