The big picture
The agency was created in 1973 and is part of a national network funded by federal and state dollars. It helps provide services for qualified adults in two ways, Director of Aging Programs Doni Green said, including:
- Partnering with more than 20 nonprofits across its coverage area
- Offering informational services directly to adults
The NCTAAA is one of three agencies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that offers resources for seniors. Dallas and Tarrant counties each feature its own agency on aging while the NCTAAA covers the remaining 14 counties in North Texas, including Collin and Denton.
What they offer
Agency staff offer counseling services to help seniors understand Medicare, Medicaid and other public benefits available. Staff also directly offer some services for seniors and qualified caregivers, Green said.
They can also help arrange community-based housing and host preventative health workshops. The workshops offered range from teaching how to reduce fall risk to managing chronic diseases, according to its website.
“To be old is not to be disabled, but getting older increases the risk of disability,” Green said. “More than 80% of people aged [60 and older] deal with at least one chronic disease. More than 40% deal with a disability that affects daily life.”
Other services include:
- Informational services for seniors and caregivers
- Ombudsman services
- Nursing home relocation assistance
- Depression counseling
- Caregiver respite
- Specialized support services for caregivers with family members experiencing dementia
Quote of note
“Although many older people are still in the labor force, they’re more likely than younger people to be living on fixed incomes,” Green said. “They’re also more likely to be living in poverty and near-poverty than younger adults. In spite of those—and other—challenges, older adults are tremendously resilient. Several studies have shown that life satisfaction is higher among older adults, compared to young adults.”
How it works
In order to qualify for assistance, a person must be 60 years or older, according to the NCTAAA’s website. Caregivers can also qualify for resources if they:
- Care for a person 60 years and older
- Care for a person of any age who has dementia
- Are 55 and older, live with and care for a relative between 19-59 years old who has a disability
- Are 55 and older, live with and have primary custody of a minor grandchild
“Too many try to figure out everything on their own, and that’s hard—even for those who are well-educated,” Green said. “The Area Agencies on Aging are good starting points.”
The NCTAAA’s services are available for free to those who qualify. Residents can learn more about the agency by visiting its website or calling 800-272-3921.
