Your Local Area Agency on Aging is your entry point to senior programs in your region

A Local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a government office that connects older adults to programs and services in your county or region. It does not provide all services itself — instead, it funds, coordinates, and refers you to meal programs, transportation, home care, legal aid, caregiver support, and other services run by nonprofits and local providers. Every county in the United States has at least one AAA, and some larger counties have multiple offices serving different geographic areas.

The AAA is funded through the Older Americans Act, a federal law passed in 1965. Money flows from the federal government to your state, then to your regional AAA. This structure means the specific programs available to you depend on where you live — what exists in one county may not exist in another, and funding levels vary by state and year.

Your AAA is usually your first stop if you are unsure what services exist in your area or whether you meet the requirements for a particular program. Staff can tell you what is available near you, help you understand what each program covers, and connect you to the right office to start using a service.

Key Takeaways

  • Every county has a Local Area Agency on Aging that coordinates senior services but does not always provide them directly.
  • AAAs fund and refer you to meal programs, transportation, home care, legal services, and caregiver support run by local nonprofits and providers.
  • You can find your local AAA by searching the Eldercare Locator database at eldercare.acl.gov or calling 1-800-677-1116.
  • Most AAAs do not charge for information and referral services, though some programs they refer you to may have fees based on income.
  • Contacting your AAA is often faster than searching for individual programs because staff know what is currently running and what has wait lists.

How to find your Local Area Agency on Aging

The fastest way to locate your AAA is through the Eldercare Locator, a searchable database run by the U.S. Administration for Community Living. Go to eldercare.acl.gov, enter your zip code, and the site will display your local AAA's phone number, address, and website. You can also call the Eldercare Locator hotline at 1-800-677-1116 and speak to someone who will tell you your AAA's contact information and answer basic questions about what services are available in your area.

If you search online for "Area Agency on Aging" plus your county name, you will usually find the AAA's website directly. Many AAAs maintain their own sites with lists of programs, may be able to access rules, and contact information for specific services. Some AAAs also have satellite offices in different towns within their region, so if you live far from the main office, the website may list a closer location.

When you contact your AAA, have your zip code or county name ready. Staff will ask what kind of help you are looking for — meals, transportation, home care, legal information, or something else — and will tell you what options exist, what they cost, and how to reach the provider.

What services AAAs coordinate and fund

AAAs do not run all senior services themselves, but they fund or contract with local organizations to provide them. The most common programs include congregate meals (meals served at senior centers or community locations), home-delivered meals (food brought to your home), transportation (rides to medical appointments or grocery stores), in-home care information (help with bathing, dressing, or household tasks), and caregiver support (counseling and respite care for family members caring for an older adult).

Many AAAs also coordinate legal services (help with wills, powers of attorney, or elder abuse cases), information and referral (connecting you to housing, health insurance, or utility information), adult day care (supervised daytime programs for people with cognitive decline), and ombudsman services (advocacy if you have complaints about a nursing home or assisted living facility).

The exact mix of programs varies by region. A rural county might have limited transportation but strong meal delivery. An urban area might have many senior centers but fewer in-home care options. Your AAA's staff can tell you what is available where you live and what the wait times are, since popular programs sometimes have lists of people waiting to start.

Costs and income limits for AAA-funded programs

Information and referral services from your AAA are free — you do not pay to call and ask what programs exist or to get connected to a provider. However, the programs themselves may have costs. Many AAA-funded services use a sliding scale fee, meaning you pay based on your income. Someone with a very low income might pay nothing or a few dollars per meal; someone with higher income might pay the full cost.

Some programs have no income limit at all — anyone can use them, though fees may vary. Others are limited to people whose income falls below a certain threshold, often 125% or 200% of the federal poverty line. Your AAA can tell you the income limits and fees for each program in your area. If you are unsure whether you meet the income requirement, the AAA can help you figure that out based on your household size and monthly income.

A few AAA-funded programs are free to all older adults regardless of income, particularly legal services and ombudsman advocacy. Ask your AAA which programs in your region charge nothing.

How AAAs work with other senior service providers

Your AAA is part of a larger network. Above it sits your state's Department of Aging or equivalent office, which sets policy and distributes federal and state money. Below it are the nonprofits, senior centers, home care agencies, and meal programs that actually deliver services. Your AAA's job is to know who does what, make sure services are not duplicated, and fill gaps where no one else is providing something.

This means your AAA can tell you not just what services exist, but which provider is best for your situation. If you need meals and transportation, the AAA might refer you to one nonprofit that does both, rather than sending you to two separate organizations. If a program has a long wait list, the AAA can suggest an alternative that serves the same need.

AAAs also run or fund care management services in some regions. A care manager (sometimes called a case manager) can assess your needs, help you understand what programs fit, and follow up to make sure services are working for you. This service is often free or low-cost for people with low incomes.

What happens when you contact your AAA

When you call or visit your AAA, expect to answer questions about what you need help with, where you live, and roughly how much income your household has. You do not need documents ready — the AAA is gathering information, not making a formal decision. Staff will tell you what programs exist in your area, what each one covers, whether you likely meet the income or other requirements, and how to reach the provider.

Some AAAs offer a more detailed needs assessment, where a staff member or care manager talks with you in depth about your daily life, health, living situation, and what is hardest for you right now. This assessment helps identify services you might not have thought of. For example, if you mention you are isolated and have trouble getting to the grocery store, the assessor might suggest both a meal program and a transportation service.

If you are homebound or have difficulty traveling, many AAAs will send someone to your home to do the assessment. Ask about this option when you call.

Differences between AAAs and other senior service organizations

An AAA is a coordinator and funder, not usually a direct service provider. A senior center, by contrast, runs programs itself — it offers classes, meals, and activities in a physical location. A home care agency directly employs caregivers who come to your home. An AAA connects you to these organizations but typically does not employ the people who deliver the service.

This matters because it means your AAA can tell you about all the options in your region, not just the ones it runs. If you call a senior center directly, they can only tell you about their own programs. If you call your AAA, they can tell you about every senior center, meal program, and home care provider in your county and help you pick the best fit.

Some AAAs do run specific programs — a few operate their own meal sites or care management offices — but even then, they also coordinate services run by others. The AAA's primary role is to be a hub that knows the whole landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a certain age to contact my AAA?

Most AAAs serve people 60 and older, though some programs they coordinate are available to younger people with disabilities. Call your AAA and ask — they can tell you what is available for your age and situation.

What if my AAA says a program has a wait list?

Ask the AAA how long the wait typically is and whether you can be added to the list. Some programs move quickly; others may take months. The AAA can also suggest similar programs that may have shorter waits or different may be able to access rules.

Can my AAA help if I think an older adult is being abused or neglected?

Yes. AAAs coordinate adult protective services and can report suspected abuse. Call your AAA and describe the situation; they will connect you to the right agency to investigate and help.

Does it cost anything to use my AAA's information and referral service?

No. Calling your AAA to ask what services exist and to get connected to a provider is free. The programs themselves may have fees based on your income, but the AAA's job of pointing you in the right direction costs nothing.

What if I do not know my zip code or county?

You can still call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 and tell the staff member your city and state. They will look up your county and give you your AAA's phone number.