District of Columbia Office on Aging Overview

The Office on Aging was created by DC Law 1-24 in 1975 as the District's State and Area Agency on Aging. It is structured to carry out advocacy, leadership, management, program, and fiscal responsibilities. On the program level, the Office on Aging oversees the operation of two on-site programs: Information and Assistance and Senior Employment Programs. In addition, it contracts for and monitors the operation of a District-owned, privately operated nursing home. It also funds a Senior Service Network comprising 24 community-based, nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to the District's elderly citizens.

The 24 community-based, education, government, and private organizations that make up the Senior Service Network operate more than 42 programs for older persons. Crucial to the Network are six Lead Agencies that offer a broad range of legal, nutrition, social, and health services. The goal of these six agencies is to enhance the quality of life for older adults and their families throughout all eight wards of the District of Columbia. The agencies accomplish this goal through widespread distribution of information about the variety of services and programs offered seniors throughout the city and ways to access them.