October 5, 2004
For Immediate Release

The Administration on Aging Awards Over $2 Million to Expand Reach of Call Centers

The Administration on Aging (AoA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded grants totaling over $2 million to expand the reach of the Eldercare Locator and the Alzheimer's Association National Contact Center, especially in minority communities. Both projects will utilize ongoing and new strategies to target older adults and their caregivers, with concentrated outreach to minority, low-income, limited-English speaking audiences, and non-traditional users.

“The call centers provide important lifelines for older adults and their caregivers,” said Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging. “Broadening national visibility and awareness of these services among minority and limited-English speaking consumers is an important next step. ”

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, in partnership with the National Association of State Units on Aging, received $1,124,937 for a cooperative agreement to continue the Eldercare Locator. The Eldercare Locator links those who need help to state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that specifically serve the needs of older adults and caregivers -- no matter where they live in the United States. The new award will also continue operation of the National Aging Information & Referral Support Center, which provides technical assistance and training to the aging network to improve and enhance aging information and referral systems. Information about the Eldercare Locator is available at www.eldercare.gov or by calling 1-800-677-1116.

The National Alzheimer's Association received $993,500 to continue a cooperative agreement to expand the reach of their National Contact Center, particularly into Hispanic communities. The Contact Center provides an integrated network of information specialists and care consultants who provide personalized information, support, care consultation, and crisis intervention by telephone and electronically,

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Bilingual staff and translation services allow the National Contact Center to be available to all families dealing with Alzheimer's disease or those seeking more information for other reasons. Information about the National Contact Center is available by calling 1-800-272-3900 or online at www.alz.org or www.alz.org/hispanic/overview_sp.asp

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging (AoA), works with a nationwide network of organizations and service providers to make support services and resources available to older persons and their caregivers. For more information about the AoA, please contact: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, Washington, D.C. 20201, Phone (202) 401-4541.

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The AoA is a Federal agency dedicated to policy development, planning and the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older persons and their caregivers through the national aging network of state and local agencies on aging, tribal organizations, service providers and volunteers.