In some states, the Aging Network and the services it supports remain invisible or are low priority in the eyes of legislators and non-network agencies and organizations. A related challenge is that even though waiting lists for some Older Americans Act services are long, a majority of older adults appear to be unaware of existing services or are unwilling or unable to access them.
Not one of the five largest states, as measured by the number of its older citizens, is among the five largest states in its proportion of older citizens. This distinction becomes especially problematic each time the Older Americans Act is reauthorized and funds are appropriated for network-supported services.
Rationales for prioritized services differ widely by geography. For example, improving transportation may be a priority for numerous Aging Network agencies, but the rationales and objectives for that priority are nearly certain to differ dramatically across network and non-network federal, state, and local agencies. For example, rural Area Agencies on Aging, mixed urban–rural Area Agencies on Aging, and densely populated urban Area Agencies on Aging differ in their transportation priorities and challenges. Increasing the availability of affordable housing and expanding outreach are equally problematic challenges.
Funding formulas specifically favor low-income, isolated, frail, and ethnic minority elders. By itself, however, the Aging Network often is unable to fund appropriate services directly or to sustain funding when government dollars are withdrawn. Furthermore, although cultural and linguistic competence remains a network priority, that goal remains elusive.
