Area Agency on Aging

The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) is the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for twenty-three communities in southeastern Massachusetts. The AAA service region includes the seventeen member communities of the Old Colony planning district and six additional communities that together make up the Old Colony AAA service region: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, E. Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanson, Kingston, Hanover, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleborough, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, W. Bridgewater, Whitman.

As the designated Area Agency on Aging for this region, we are responsible for the establishment of a comprehensive, coordinated system of community-based supportive services for the elders in our region. To achieve this goal, the Agency administers grant funding authorized under the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 as amended, “to help partner agencies supply services and information for older adults and those with disabilities.” Our region’s Information & Referral line through Old Colony Elder Services is: (508) 584-1561.

In addition to our other AAA responsibilities, we also administer the Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Ombudsman program for our region.

OCPC Introduces New Multi-Language Information, Text Line

July 23, 2026

OCPC has partnered with Bridge Social (Bridge) to launch a new text-based communication platform that combines the convenience of texting with a secure, AI-powered knowledge base. Because information is provided directly by OCPC, responses are specific to the programs, services, and resources available through our organization and our partners. Community members can text (508) 436-4223 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ask questions about local services, resources available through OCPC partners, or projects taking place in their community. The automated platform, called Ada, provides quick, reliable responses, making it easier for residents to access information whenever they need it. This service also improves accessibility by: As a new program, we will continue to monitor and review potential updates necessary to improve the functionality. If you have any feedback regarding the program, please email David Klein at dklein@ocpcrpa.org. Please be aware that AI can make mistakes; it is important to double-check information that is important to you before relying on it.

Administration for Community Living (ACL)

OAA funding is allocated through the federal Administration for Community Living (ACL).

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA)

ACL allocates funding to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Area Agency on Aging (OCPC)

Through EOEA the federal funding is allocated to local Area Agencies on Aging such as OCPC.

Aging Service Access Point

Funding and coordination of regional Nutrition, Family Caregiver, and Information & Referral services are further allocated from OCPC to our Partner organization, Old Colony Elder Services.

WHAT WE DO

Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Ombudsman

The Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Ombudsman Programs are responsible for identifying, investigating and resolving issues related to the health, safety, welfare and rights of individual who living in long term care facilities. Our staff acts on behalf of residents of nursing homes, rest homes, and transitional care facilities in our region.

Senior Transportation Programs

The Old Colony Planning Council Area Agency on Aging is proud to work on behalf of the Councils on Aging in our region as an applicant for and administrator of a Volunteer Transportation Program (VTP) to assist them with ‘Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities.’

Area Agency on Aging Resources

Access important Area on Aging Resources such as local Councils on Aging (COA) and important contact details.

Local Older Americans Act (OAA) Funding

With input and guidance provided by the AAA Advisory Committee, the Area Agency on Aging establishes service priority areas for funding under a four-year Area Plan (see below). Under the current plan, OCPC-AAA distributes over $1,500,000 in Older Americans Act grant funding to community-based organizations who in turn carry out these services.

Areas Funded through local organizations include:

Minority Elder Outreach and Supportive Services
Personal Care Services
Services for Disabled Elders
Transportation
Legal Services
Emergency Assistance
Congregate and Home-Delivered Meals
Family Caregiver Support Services

AAA Area Plan

In keeping with the goals and objectives of the Older Americans Act (OAA), the primary functions and responsibilities of the OCPC’s Area Agency on Aging are to advocate on behalf of individuals age 60 and over in our region, to plan and to develop services, and to administer a wide variety of funds to public and private local providers for the provision of home and community-based support services.

The Area Plan of OCPC-AAA is a four-year plan describing the goals and objectives of the Agency, a description of existing programs, and conclusions from the Agency’s public outreach events held in the elder community.

Access the 2026-2029 Area Plan on Aging PDF

Access the 2024 Needs Assessment Survey Result

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer Ombudsman Program

Ombudsman volunteers visit an assigned nursing or rest home once a week, meeting with residents and working to resolve the issues affecting the quality of their care at the home.

Learn More