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Department of Elder AffairsThe Department of Elder Affairs was created as a result of a constitutional amendment in 1988 and established in statute in 1991. The department began operation in January 1992 with the legislative responsibility of being the primary agency for administering human service programs for the elderly and developing policy recommendations for long- term care. The department's purpose also includes combating ageism, creating public awareness and understanding of the contributions and needs of elders, advocating on behalf of elders, serving as an information clearinghouse and more. For additional information regarding the purposes and responsibilities of the department, see Chapter 430.03, Florida Statutes. The Department of Elder Affairs implements a variety of innovative programs and Long-Term Care initiatives such as the Consumer Directed Care Project, the Aged and Disabled Adult and Assisted Living for the Frail Elderly Medicaid Waiver programs and the Community Care for the Elderly program. These programs result in significant cost savings for Florida. Home and community-based and managed long-term care services are provided at an average annual cost per client between $2,030 and $24,389 , in comparison to an average annual cost of $45,864 in a skilled nursing facility. The majority of programs administered by the department are privatized. Over 94 percent of the department's budget funds services provided primarily by not-for-profit agencies and local governments under contract through the state's area agencies on aging (AAAs), which are mandated by the federal government under the Older Americans Act. In Florida there are 11 AAAs and 61 Community Care for the Elderly lead agencies. The principal goal of programs administered by the department is to help elders remain in their own homes and communities in the least restrictive, most appropriate, and safest setting to prevent unnecessary or premature nursing home placement. Another important goal is to promote and advocate for services for the state's elderly population. The department fulfills these goals by providing individuals age 60 and older with a variety of services in five main areas:
The Department of Elder Affairs operates under the statutory and organizational mandates of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. The Older Americans Act establishes a network of federal, state and local agencies to plan and provide a variety of programs to meet the needs of older persons in the community. As Florida's "state unit on aging," the Department of Elder Affairs is responsible for planning, coordinating, funding, administering, and evaluating programs and services for the state's older residents. It formally designates, funds and monitors 11 area agencies on aging (AAAs), which are non-profit organizations responsible for planning and coordinating programs and services in each of their respective geographic planning and service areas. Currently, 61 lead agencies are contracted by AAAs to provide case management and other services such as homemaking, home health, respite and personal care. The lead agencies provide these services either directly or through sub-contracts with over 1,100 local service providers.
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
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