All States Do Not Have Federally Mandated Area Agencies on Aging

I started to write about my challenges with the Ombudsman program and began researching the program. 

This led to the discovery not all States have Area Agencies on Aging as Mandated by Federal Law of 1976. 

There are seven States and the District of Columbia without this program.

You can read more about advocacy and Long Term Care areas of the Federal Administration on Aging under the Department of Health and Human Services on this website  

Here's a short sample of what's included:

"SUA / AAA Finder

To locate a State and/or Area Agency on Aging (AAA) start by clicking the state on the map below or select the state from the drop down list.    After the State Agency on Aging information is displayed you will be prompted to search for the local AAA.    A few states (AK, DE, NV, ND, NH, RI, SD and WY) and the District of Columbia do not have AAAs so contact the State Agency on Aging to locate local resources.    To find resources in the U.S. Territories, please use the drop down list and select the location." States were required to set up Area Agencies on Aging back in 1976 but there are still more than 10% of the States and DC without this MANDATED AGENCY?   Didn't realize Area Agencies on Aging, a Federal Legislation dating back almost forty years was an "option". Writing this blog, advocating for Seniors, I'm learning every day how what we think exists, what we believe we have for our "later years" can be "smoke and mirrors". Once again, the consumer "aging in place" or necessitated having to enter into Independent, Assisted or Long Term Care facilities appears to not have certain levels of advocacy depending where you live or choose to live as a Senior. Who oversees Seniors rights? Who makes determinations on violations? Who intervenes when there is a question of neglect or abuse -- in these areas? What rights do Seniors have in these States and who ensures they're guarded and enforced? These are questions each of us should be asking along with those of us who live in States with Area Agencies on Aging. Research. Read. Get actively involved now. The time will come when you will wish you had, when you face being "housed" and sign away or don't have the mental capacity or capability (dignosed or not) to act to change the system. It appears along with researching when we decide where we'll continue to live as we grow older, we need to continue to practice researching as we did about housing costs and values, taxes, ratings of educational facilities for our children. We need to know more about Senior Living than what's available in an "area" where we would want to live, what "looks good" and where we might feel "comfortable".