AoA FY 2005 Budget Overview

The President forwarded his request for FY 2005 funding to Congress on February 2, 2004. We are pleased with this budget as it continues to emphasize the Administration on Aging (AoA) programs that work together with our partners in the aging network to support older Americans through community-based services. We are asking for a total of $1.377 billion in this year’s request.

Under the current Administration, AoA has been transformed from an agency focused primarily on making grants to States, to an agency that is a leader in aging policy and a catalyst for innovations in aging services and home and community-based long-term care systems. This is reflected in the FY 2005 program increase of +$7.1 million for Program Innovations activities. These activities develop, test, and promote new approaches and promising practices to serve older persons and their families. These additional funds, equal to a 70% increase over comparable FY 2004 activities, will build on the new initiatives that we funded for the first time with FY 2003 funds. These initiatives are intended to maximize the value of available resources and better coordinate and integrate the delivery of services to seniors.

At the beginning of my tenure, I established five strategic priorities that have guided our efforts. My goal is to improve the quality of life by enhancing the Aging Services Network’s capacity to provide health and long-term care services. Each priority is described below along with some of our accomplishments to date:

Priority 1: Make it easier for older people to access an integrated array of health and social supports.

• Aging and Disability Resource Center Initiative—12 centers in each of FY 2003 and 2004.
• Partnerships with Federal agencies and National Aging Organizations:
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Cash and Counseling: Next Steps Program;
  • National Governor’s Association—Policy Academy--Rebalancing State Long-Term Care Systems;
  • The National Conference of State Legislatures--Technical Assistance to State legislative leaders on making long-term care systems more responsive to the needs of elderly consumers; and,
  • Federal Transit Administration to expand seniors’ transit options and enhance coordination.
• Alzheimer’s Grants to States—From 28 States in 2001 to 39 States in 2003; created a national call center on Alzheimer’s disease for consumers and professionals.

Priority 2: Help older people to stay active and healthy.

• Evidence-Based Prevention Initiatives – Projects translate research into practice to allow community providers to develop prevention programs targeted to seniors.
• Consolidated all Older Americans Act nutrition programs within AoA by transferring the Nutrition Services Incentive Program from USDA to AoA, while preserving essential features of the program such as the ability of states to receive commodities.
• Nutrition and Physical Activity Resource Center—Strengthened existing efforts to expand the focus of nutrition programs to include physical activity programs for seniors.

Priority 3: Support families in their efforts to care for their loved ones at home and in the community.

• Implemented the new National Family Caregiver Support Program, including caregiver demonstrations and National Projects – Fourth Year of Funding—Up 27% overall since its creation.
• Provided increased outreach to consumers through several avenues including the Eldercare Locator, consumer-focused fact sheets and seven listening sessions throughout the country.
• Partnered with the White House Office on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to provide information, technical assistance and resources on aging programs.
• National Summit on Creating Healthy and Caring Communities – Enhancing the capacity of the aging network in strengthening long-term care community programs.

Priority 4: Ensure the rights of older people and prevent their abuse, neglect and exploitation.

• Ombudsman Program – Improved quality of care for nursing home residents through a partnership with CMS on the Nursing Home Quality Initiative and strengthening the Ombudsman Resource Center.
• National Resource Centers: Restructured centers to strengthen the ability to educate and serve consumers and provide technical assistance to our aging network in areas such as pension counseling, elder abuse, legal assistance, and consumer protection.

Priority 5: Promote effective and responsive management.

• National Outcome Surveys are providing AoA with consumer service assessments for the first time.
• Reduced reporting requirements/burden and over regulation.
• Increased focus on consumers and our partners through e-grants, AoA Monthly E-Newsletter, and the AoA Website.

With respect to our core programs—including supportive services, nutrition, caregivers, health promotion activities, programs for Native Americans and programs for vulnerable older Americans—from FY 2001 to this current budget request there has been growth of $116 million or almost 10%. Together these funds—for innovation and core services--will continue to allow us to build on AoA’s mission to promote the dignity and independence of older Americans and to help society prepare for an aging population.

• Budget in Brief (PDF - 2MB)
• AoA TITLE III/VII Older Americans Act State Allocations (PDF - 14KB)
• Remarks By: Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary Of Health And Human Services (Off Site)

Additional Topics

• Hearing on FY 2005 President's Budget
• AoA 2005 Budget Overview (PDF - 49KB)
• Previous Budget Information
• Hearing on FY 2004 President's Budget
• FGS FY 2002 Annual State Allocations [PDF -11.6KB]