The Area 12 Agency on Aging, established as a five county Joint Powers Agency in 1988, provides services to approximately 11,000 older adults. It is part of an aging network which includes 33 Area Agencies on Aging statewide and over 675 nationwide.

The A12AA is responsible for providing funds, through an impartial request for proposal process, to community senior service providers who exhibit a high standard of program excellence.

As an advocate for older adults, the Area 12 Agency on Aging strives to ensure opportunities for independence and the highest possible quality of life are available to all Area 12 residents 60 years and older.

The effectiveness of this agency lies in the knowledge, advice and enthusiastic support provided by the senior community.

The A12AA Advisory Council consists of 30 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors in each county, who contribute many volunteer hours serving on community and task forces, visiting grantee agencies in an effort to learn first hand what services are being provided, and working closely with the Area Agency on Aging Director and staff on matters of senior legislation, local program funding distribution and the agency's overall direction and goals.

The Council is strengthened by the diversity of its membership. All five counties are represented, thus broadening the Council's capacity to serve and benefit the entire senior population of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties.

Advisory Council members discuss senior issues, plan and recommend agency direction and educate the community through monthly meetings and public hearings.

The federal Older Americans Act (OAA) was enacted by Congress in 1965 to establish mandates for the provisions and funding of services to the 60-plus population. The Administration on Aging (AoA) through state units on aging is responsible for distributing funds and monitoring OAA mandates.

The OAA and the AoA, along with state units on aging, are the foundation for a nationwide network of Senior Advocates called Area Agencies on Aging.

The Area 12 Agency on Aging works hand-in-hand with the community to carry out the objectives of the OAA and provide the necessary tools to build a quality way of life with dignity and respect.

Community outreach is important in an Area Agency on Aging. Community contact also serves as an avenue to assess the current needs of older adults.

The A12AA makes itself available to the community through public meetings, by participating in senior functions and by making the agency accessible to the people it serves.

Senior Centers, a hub for senior activities, provide local seniors with much more than just a gathering place. Paid staff work with volunteers to provide assistance and make the community senior center "user friendly".

Most centers offer congregate meals, where seniors can enjoy camaraderie and a low-cost, hot, nutritious meal in a pleasant atmosphere.

If you want to stay in shape, learn how to use a computer, sharpen your driving skills, travel, watch a movie, play pool, join in a card game, learn to dance, receive legal or health insurance counseling, or participate in a local health screening; you can do it all through your local senior center.

Elder abuse, the "Silent Suffering", is commonly thought to mean acts of physical violence against older persons. In actuality, it encompasses many different forms of dangerous behavior.

• Physical Abuse
• Psychological Abuse
• Caregiver Neglect
• Self-Neglect
• Financial Exploitation

Title VII funding provides elder abuse prevention and protection in homes and institutions. In addition, it offers public education, outreach, referral and complaint investigation on behalf of vulnerable older persons; ensuring a safe and protected living environment for all older adults.