Area Agencies on Aging in Nevada

Structure of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in Nevada

Nevada’s aging services system operates through 2 primary Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), covering the entire state. These agencies oversee Older Americans Act (OAA) programs such as nutrition services, transportation, caregiver support, and home-based assistance for seniors.

At the state level, Nevada’s AAAs are overseen by the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD), a branch of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Unlike many states that have multiple AAAs organized at the regional level, Nevada takes a more centralized approach, with the state government playing a significant role in service administration.

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Key Aspects of Nevada’s AAA Structure

1. Only 2 AAAs Cover the Entire State:

   • Nevada operates just two AAAs, unlike most states that have multiple AAAs covering different regions.
   • These two agencies are:
     • Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) – Statewide AAA (Manages aging services across most of Nevada).
     • Nevada Care Connection AAA – Clark County (Focused on Las Vegas and the surrounding area).
   • This is similar to Alaska and Delaware, which also have fewer AAAs due to lower populations.

2. Statewide Oversight by ADSD:

   • Nevada’s Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) functions as both an AAA and a state oversight body.
   • It manages Older Americans Act (OAA) services across rural and northern Nevada, while Clark County’s AAA serves the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
   • This state-led approach is different from most states, where AAAs operate independently under state oversight.

3. Nevada Care Connection as the Las Vegas AAA:

   • In Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, aging services are managed separately under Nevada Care Connection AAA.
   • This local focus helps manage services for Nevada’s largest population center, while ADSD handles rural and northern Nevada.
   • This dual model is similar to Hawaii, where one AAA covers the entire state except for the largest metro area (Honolulu).

4. AAAs Provide Services Directly and Through Contracts:

   • Unlike states where AAAs primarily contract services, Nevada’s ADSD directly provides many programs.
   • However, Clark County’s AAA contracts with local organizations for meal services, transportation, and caregiver programs.
   • This hybrid model is similar to New Mexico, where the state government provides aging services directly in some regions while allowing local AAAs to handle urban areas.

5. Emphasis on Rural and Tribal Services:

   • Since much of Nevada is rural and sparsely populated, the ADSD-run AAA provides specialized services for:
     • Rural seniors facing transportation and healthcare access issues.
     • Native American elders through tribal aging programs.
   • This is similar to Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska, where rural and tribal services require unique funding and outreach efforts.

6. Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) Are Integrated Within AAAs:

   • Nevada’s AAAs also function as Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), serving as single-entry points for:
     • Medicaid and Medicare counseling
     • Long-term care planning
     • Nursing home transition programs
   • This ADRC integration is similar to Wisconsin, Missouri, and North Carolina, where AAAs double as ADRCs.

7. Services Provided Include:

   • Home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals
   • Transportation assistance (including senior bus services)
   • Caregiver support and respite care
   • Medicare and Medicaid counseling (SHIP program)
   • Long-term care ombudsman services
   • Legal assistance for seniors
   • Employment and volunteer opportunities for older adults

8. Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers:

   • Nevada offers Medicaid-funded home care services through HCBS waivers, allowing seniors to remain at home rather than enter nursing facilities.
   • Similar waiver programs exist in Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington, but Nevada still relies more on institutional care than those states.

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Comparison with Other States

Similarities:

• State-Level Oversight:

  • Nevada’s ADSD-run AAA is similar to states where the state government plays a major role, such as:
    • Alaska (Single state-run AAA)
    • Delaware (Centralized under state agencies)
    • Rhode Island (One AAA covering the entire state)

• Regional Split for Urban and Rural Areas:

  • The two-AAA system is similar to Hawaii, where one AAA serves rural areas while another serves Honolulu.

• AAAs Act as Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs):

  • Nevada’s ADRC model is common in states like Wisconsin and Missouri, where AAAs provide both aging and disability services.

• Medicaid Waivers for Home-Based Care:

  • Nevada promotes aging in place through Medicaid-funded home and community-based services (HCBS), like:
    • Minnesota
    • Oregon
    • Washington

Differences:

• Only Two AAAs Cover the Entire State:

  • Most states have multiple AAAs covering different counties, but Nevada’s 2-AAAs model is rare.
  • States with similar low-AAAs models include Alaska (1 AAA) and Delaware (1 AAA).

• State Government Runs the Northern & Rural AAA:

  • Unlike most states, where AAAs operate independently, Nevada’s Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) directly manages services.
  • This differs from states like California, Florida, and Texas, where AAAs operate as independent organizations under state oversight.

• More Centralized Service Delivery Compared to Other States:

  • Nevada’s ADSD directly provides many services, whereas most states rely on local nonprofits and private organizations.
  • In contrast, states like Texas, Indiana, and Virginia have AAAs primarily acting as funders rather than direct service providers.

• Greater Focus on Rural and Tribal Populations:

  • Due to Nevada’s rural geography, the ADSD AAA specializes in services for tribal communities and remote seniors.
  • This differs from high-population states like New York or Illinois, where services are more urban-focused.

• Reliance on Institutional Care More Than Some Other States:

  • While Nevada offers Medicaid waivers for home-based care, its system still relies more on nursing facilities than aging-in-place models seen in states like Oregon or Washington.

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Conclusion

Nevada’s AAA system is unique because it is highly centralized, with only two AAAs covering the entire state. The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) runs the statewide AAA for rural and northern Nevada, while Clark County’s AAA (Nevada Care Connection) focuses on Las Vegas and surrounding areas.

This centralized structure is rare and is only seen in a few states like Alaska, Delaware, and Rhode Island. Compared to other states, Nevada’s model allows for direct state involvement in aging services, reducing reliance on private contractors. However, this approach may limit local control and create challenges in addressing regional service gaps.

While Nevada integrates Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) into its AAAs and offers Medicaid waivers for home-based care, it still relies more on institutional care compared to states like Oregon and Minnesota. Despite these challenges, Nevada’s two-AAA system effectively serves urban and rural seniors, providing a streamlined yet centralized approach to aging services.

Nevada has two main Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs):

1. Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) – Northern Nevada
   • Phone: (775) 687-4210
   • Address: 3416 Goni Road, Building D, Carson City, NV 89706
   • Base URL: ADSD Northern Nevada
   • Counties/Regions Served: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Storey, Washoe
2. Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) – Southern Nevada
   • Phone: (702) 486-3545
   • Address: 1860 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104
   • Base URL: ADSD Southern Nevada
   • Counties/Regions Served: Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye

These two AAAs cover the entire state of Nevada, providing services and support to older adults and people with disabilities. They offer a range of services, including case management, information and referrals, nutrition programs, caregiver support, and more.

List of Area Agencies on Aging in Nevada