The National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a non-profit service and senior advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the living standard of elderly citizens in the United States. The Council serves as a voice for the American older adult population, especially those who are vulnerable and disabled or have disadvantages which restrict their abilities.
The NCOA also helps to assist community-based organizations that help serve and protect elders. The National Council on Aging brings together other non-profit organizations, businesses, and government agencies to help create comprehensive solutions to issues surrounding elders and their health care.
The National Social Welfare Assembly formed the National Committee on Aging in 1950, which was later renamed in 1960 to the National Council on Aging. For the past 50 years, the Council has been focused on making the lives of senior citizens in the United States better. Its original focuses were rising health care costs and mandatory retirement.
The idea of mandatory retirement was eliminated by Congress, stemming from the work of the NCOA and other organizations. The National Council on Aging has also pushed for and helped establish many programs, such as Meals on Wheels and American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
The NCOA serves as a senior advocacy program by helping seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, remain active in their communities and preserve their overall personal independence.
The National Council on Aging accomplishes its work through collaborative leadership, innovation, and, of course, specific senior advocacy movements in themselves. Its members create and lead strategic alliances, coalitions, and multi-sector partnerships. As a senior advocacy program, the Council works to improve public policies by being a national voice for older adults with the greatest needs and those who serve them, combining community service and advocacy, and empowering and engaging older adults.
For all older Americans, the National Council on Aging seeks to:
Improve health and reduce disability
Increase participation in meaningful and rewarding work
Increase community service that enriches participants and is productive for society
Increase access to private
Enhance capacity to live in communities with dignity, choice, and financial security
The work done by the National Council on Aging is guided by four core values: social and economic justice, respect and caring for all, innovation, and excellence and integrity. Though these values and morals, the NCOA continues to push senior advocacy in their hopes of enhancing the quality of life and standard of living for the elderly population in the United States.
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