Good New Story – Government Program that Works

Administrative for Community Living
The mission of ACL is “All people, regardless of age or disability, should be able to live independently and participate fully in their communities. Every person should have the right to make choices and to control the decisions in and about their lives. This right to self-determination includes decisions about their homes and work, as well as all the other daily choices most adults make without a second thought.”

Living in a community is a basic human need. We are shaped by the place, people and events that surround us. In fact, living and aging at home is the most cost-effective setting for delivering services to people in need. Additionally, communities benefit by having all of us engaged. We need our historians, volunteers, co-workers, family, friends, and mentors together sharing our collective wisdom to build stronger places to live, work, play, and learn.

These programs use a policy called “no wrong door” which means once you engage with one provider, you can access all the services you need.  The best place to start is your local Area Agency on Aging.  AAAs coordinate and offer services that help older adults remain in their homes – if that is their preference – aided by services such as Meals-on-Wheels, homemaker assistance, and whatever else it may take to make independent living a viable option. By making a range of options available, AAAs make it possible for older individuals to choose the services and living arrangements that suit them best.