The Older American’s Act of 1965, as revised in 1973, established state Area Agencies on Aging to assist in planning and developing programs specially designed for citizens 60 years of age and older and their spouses. In 1974, Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) was designated as one of 28 Area Agencies on Aging funded by the Health and Human Services Commission.
Service Area
ATCOG’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) services nine counties – Bowie, Cass, Morris, Titus, Franklin, Hopkins, Cooper, Lamar and Red River.
Services
The Agency is dedicated to providing services to seniors in our areas that will promote quality of life and quality of care. Services provided range from congregate meals, home-delivered meals, benefits counseling, care coordination, legal assistance, caregiver support, advocacy for residents in long term care, and transportation services.
- Benefits Counseling Program – Provides assistance to seniors 60 years of age and older and Medicare beneficiaries of any age concerning their public benefits and entitlements.
- Care Coordination – Assesses the needs of people 60 years of age and older and then coordinates local resources to support an individual’s highest level of functioning.
- Caregiver Support – Assesses needs of caregivers and then coordinates available support services.
- Information, Referral, and Assistance – Provides to callers to identify and link with the appropriate service agencies
- Nutrition – Serves nourishing meals at site locations and/or delivered to home-bound seniors.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman – Advocates for residents of long-term care facilities (nursing homes and assisted living facilities).
- Senior Centers – providing organization and provision of support services and recreational and group activities for the older person. Serves nourishing meals on site.
- Transportation – Offers transportation to nutrition sites, local medical services, and social service agency appointments.