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) 684-1561.
In addition to our other AAA responsibilities, we also administer the Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Ombudsman program for our region.
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.
The Old Colony Planning Council Area Agency on Aging (OCPC-AAA) is now accepting pre-applications for funding requests under Title III of the Older Americans Act for federal fiscal year 2024 and federal fiscal year 2025 (the federal fiscal year begins October 1 and ends September 30).
Application: 2024-25 Combined RFP Guidance & Pre-Application
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
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.
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.
