AARC's affiliate, the Alabama Association of Area Agencies on Aging (A4A) provides support for senior citizens.

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One of the most visible programs provided by the regional councils is the Aging Program. Nine (9) of Alabama's thirteen (13) area agencies on aging (AAA) exist as divisions or departments of regional councils. These aging programs have service areas that mirror the regions and form a comprehensive, coordinated service delivery system for older Alabamians.

Through this network, the regional councils act as advocates for the population over 60. Services are coordinated for senior citizens using state, federal, and local resources. Duties include assessing the needs of the elderly, coordinating the needed services, keeping the elderly informed of current events affecting them, and acting on their behalf to maintain their independence and quality of life. To achieve these goals, the area agencies on aging administer and provide the following services:

1. Nutrition - Over 350 senior centers are operated throughout Alabama to provide hot, nutritious meals for senior citizens on a daily basis. In addition to serving balanced lunches, these centers provide consumer information, nutrition education, health and welfare programs, and recreation for some 30,000 participants. Some centers also deliver a limited number of lunches to older people who are home-bound.
   
   
2. Transportation - Transportation is provided to nutrition centers, medical facilities, grocery stores, and other necessary destinations by over 500 vans. It is estimated that these vans travel over 10,000 miles per day and provide transportation services for thousands of older persons.
   
   
3. Information and Referral - The area agencies on aging also provide information to individual senior citizens seeking assistance. Referrals are made to other community organizations and private businesses such as banks, hospitals, and nursing homes which can best meet their needs. In addition, some AAA's sponsor senior citizen discount programs and provide senior identification cards.
   
   
4. Outreach - The area agencies on aging provide social services including case work, referral, and counseling. Some home health services are offered through the Medicaid Waiver Program. The Nursing Home Ombudsman activities are also coordinated by the AAA to assure quality care for the residents.
   
   
5. Homemaker/Home Repair - The area agencies on aging help many senior citizens live independently in their own homes by providing funding for services such as house cleaning, escorted shopping, and daily telephone reassurance. Some areas provide home repairs for those who lack the expertise and financing for basic repairs.
   
   
6. Legal Services - Education programs informing the elderly of their rights and benefits are supported by the AAA's. The program also provides for legal consultation and representation of eligible clients.
   
   
7. Medicaid Waiver - Medicaid Waiver is a program of home and community-based services for the elderly and disabled through the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Home and community-based services offer an alternative to nursing home care for many elderly and disabled people in Alabama. The services enable people to receive at home the care they need. Services include case management, homemaker services, personal care, adult day health and respite care. The program of home and community services is provided as a cooperative effort of the Alabama Medicaid Agency, the Alabama Department of Public Health, and the Alabama Commission on Aging.
   
   
8. Ombudsman - The long term care ombudsman located with in each AAA acts as an impartial third party to assist residents of long-term care health facilities. With the goal of promoting the well-being and quality of life for long-term care health facility residents, the ombudsman can assist by providing information, resolving problems, and negotiating on behalf of residents.
   
   
9. Insurance Counseling and Assistance - Help through area agencies on aging is provided to seniors who are making decisions about health insurance and benefits, assisting them to understand policies, "red tape", and coverage actually needed or desired. Volunteers are recruited throughout each region and receive special training to assist a part-time staff member. Counseling on insurance forms and policies has resulted in financial savings both on insurance and prescription drugs.
   
   
10. Prescription Drug Assistance – The Area Agencies on Aging provide help to senior citizens who apply for prescription drug assistance and provide up-to-date information on drug assistance programs operated by individual pharmaceutical companies and programs available through Medicare and Medicaid.
    

Alabama Department of Senior Services