About ALTC
Southeast Washington Aging and Long Term Care is a designated Area Agency on Aging covering an eight-county area consisting of: Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Kittitas, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties.
Background Information:
The Older Americans Act
Since its inception in 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has been the foundation of services for older adults in the United States and forms the nucleus of our national system of home and community-based services for older americans. The OAA provides funding to states for a range of community planning and service programs to older Americans at risk of losing their independence. Since its enactment, the OAA has been amended fifteen times, most recently in 2006, to expand the scope of services, increase local control and responsibility, and add more protections for the elderly.
About Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
AAAs were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and over in every local community. By providing a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best, AAAs make it possible for older adults to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible.
ALTC Mission Statement
To maximize the degree of independence and quality of service to individuals
using, and agencies providing, community-based services. Our responsibility
is managing, planning, coordinating, educating and advocating for a comprehensive
long term care system.
• Advocate for Older Americans and adults with disabilities within
their service areas.
• Identify the needs of elders and disabled adults and create multi-year
plans for the development of comprehensive community-based services which
meet those needs in each local community.
• Administer Older Americans Act, state and private funds that support
long term care services.
• Contract with community service providers to provide: in-home care
to elders and adults with disabilities, senior nutrition, legal services,
caregiver support services, respite care, senior transportation, foot care
and many other services
• Provide community-based services to include: Senior Information
& Assistance, Family Caregiver Support, Case Management Respite and
Nursing Services
• Serve as a resource for Long Term Care (LTC) information and create
awareness of LTC trends and needs within the service delivery area.
• Monitor community-based long term care services for quality assurance
and develop plans for continuous quality improvement.
