History

Older Americans Act History

In 1965, the Older Americans Act became the framework for a national network dedicated to serve and advocate for the nation’s elderly.  Amendments added in 1973 resulted in the establishment of Area Agencies on Aging. Trident Area Agency on Aging is a not for profit, 501(c)3 organization that provides assistance, advocacy and answers on aging. We are a private, non-governmental organization that receives grants and donations to fund our services. It is the mission of Trident Area Agency on Aging to enhance the quality of life for older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers living in the Trident Area (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.) As the designated Area Agency on Aging, TAAA directly provides contracts for home delivered meals, home care services, group dining, transportation to programs, health promotion activities, and legal services.

Although older individuals may receive services under many other Federal programs, today the OAA is considered to be the major vehicle for the organization and delivery of social and nutrition services to this group and their caregivers. It authorizes a wide array of service programs through a national network of 56 State agencies on aging, 629 area agencies on aging, nearly 20,000 service providers, 244 Tribal organizations, and 2 Native Hawaiian organizations representing 400 Tribes.

To meet the diverse needs of the growing numbers of older persons in the United States President Lyndon Johnson on July 14, 1965, signed into law the Older Americans Act (OAA).  The OAA set out specific objectives for maintaining the dignity and welfare of older individuals and created the primary vehicle for organizing, coordinating and providing community-based services and opportunities for older Americans and their families. An unofficial compilation of the OAA, as amended in 2006, is available below along with historical and current information about the OAA, and a link to National Aging Network information (State Units on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging).

 

Trident Area Agency on Aging History

ElderLink received its charter as a private, non-profit corporation on October 23, 1991 and began functioning independently on July 1, 1992.  For the prior fifteen years, the agency was called Trident Area Agency on Aging and was a division of Trident United Way.  Existing staff, Trident United Way membership and State designation as the regional Area Agency on Aging serving Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, were also transferred to ElderLink on July 1, 1992.

ElderLink began to operate independently of Trident United Way, and was governed by its own Board of Directors.  On January 26, 2005, the ElderLink Board of Directors voted to change the name from “ElderLink” back to “Trident Area Agency on Aging” in order to be consistent with area agencies across the state. In August 2007, Trident Area Agency on Aging began serving as the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).