Older Americans Act Title 

III Programs 

2020 Program Results 

Quick Guide 

Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III programs are comprehensive and provide 

essential supports for older adults. This quick guide summarizes the Older 

Americans Act: Title III Programs, 2020 Program Results.

Number of Agencies and 

Providers

The majority of funding for OAA Title III 

programs flows from the federal to the 

state level and from there to the local 

level. Funding for Title III programs is 

also provided by other sources.

Since OAA funding is neither available 

nor intended to serve every eligible 

person, programs also secure funding 

from sources such as Medicare and 

Medicaid, state and local sources, 

private donations, and voluntary 

contributions from those receiving 

services.

This project was supported in part by grant number 90PPNU0002 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human 

Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and 

conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.
Impact of Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Pandemic 

on Title III Services

Funding Use

The President of the United States declared the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as a 

national emergency on March 13, 2020, authorizing states to use OAA Title III funds for disaster relief as they 

saw fit without having to submit a transfer request to ACL. As a result, states were allowed to use Title III-B, C, 

D, and/or E funds for any disaster relief activities for older adults or family caregivers served under the OAA. 

Title III Services

Over the last year, OAA Title III grantees have described how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted 

Title III service needs and service provision.

Shifted to Remote Work

Experienced Increase/Decrease in Demand for Services

Changed Spending Patterns

Transformed Meal Programs

Delivered Food Boxes and Groceries and Care Packages

Experienced Staff Shortages

Modified Transportation Services

Canceled In-Person Activities

Shifted to Virtual Programs

Conducted Phone/Virtual Check-Ins

Temporarily Suspended or Reduced Caregiver 

Support Services

Number of Providers by Service Type

In 2020, caregivers serving older adult programs reported by far the largest number of providers (10,877), 

followed by personal care programs (4,150), and congregate meal programs (4,076). Nutrition counseling 

programs and adult day care/health care programs had the fewest providers (340 and 774, respectively).

Number of Title III Service Recipients

In 2020, states and territories reported an estimated total of more than 10 million (10,186,166) unduplicated 

Title III service recipients (including registered and unregistered service recipients). Of those, 2,740,755 were 

recipients of registered services, and 8,419,937 were recipients of unregistered services.
General Information

Number of Title III Service Recipients by Service Type

In 2020, home-delivered meal programs reported the highest number of service recipients (1,447,910), 

followed by congregate meal programs (1,329,203), and case management programs (487,548). 

Number of Title III Service 

Recipients by Gender

In 2020, more than three out of five (61.5%) 

service recipients were female. The majority 

of caregivers serving older adults or children 

in 2020 (66.8% and 83.8%, respectively) were 

female also.

Number of Title III Service 

Recipients by Age

In 2020, 41.3 percent of service recipients were 

between ages 60 and 74. One-third (33.3%) of 

service recipients were between ages 75 and 

84, and almost one-fourth (23.6%) of service 

recipients were 85 years and older. 

Number of Title III Service 

Recipients by Rurality

In 2020, about one-third (33.2%) of 

service recipients reported living in 

rural areas.
Number of Title III Service Recipients by Race/Ethnicity

The majority of service recipients, approximately 70 percent, were White (Hispanic and not Hispanic), 

making up approximately 70 percent of service recipients. 

Number of Title III Service 

Recipients by Poverty Status

The majority of 

service recipients, 

approximately 

70 percent, were 

White (Hispanic 

and not Hispanic), 

making up 

approximately 70 

percent of service 

recipients. 

Number of Title III Service Recipients 

by Living Alone Status

Older adults who live by 

themselves are at higher 

risk of nursing home 

entry because they 

may be isolated or lack 

supports. 

In 2020, approximately 

equal percentages 

of service recipients 

reported living alone 

(44%) and not living 

alone (45.4%). 

Need for Assistance with Activities of Daily 

Living (ADLs) for Title III Service Recipients

Older adults who have difficulty performing three or more ADL 

or IADLs are at increased risk of nursing home placement. ADLs 

include eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring in and out 

of bed/chair, and walking.

Almost one-third of service recipients (31.1%) reported requiring 

assistance with three or more ADLs. Most older adults who had 

difficulty performing three or more ADLs were home-delivered 

meal service recipients (406,466). 
Need for Assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) for 

Title III Service Recipients

IADLs include preparing meals, shopping for 

personal items, medication management, 

managing money, using the telephone, doing 

heavy housework, doing light housework, and 

transportation ability (i.e., the individual’s ability 

to make use of available transportation without 

assistance). More than one-half of service 

recipients (56.2%) reported requiring assistance 

with three or more IADLs. Most older adults who 

required assistance with three or more IADLS 

were recipients of home-delivered meal services 

(764,948). 

Total Units per Recipient by Service Type

The most service units per recipient were for adult day care/health programs (204 units per recipient on 

average), followed by home-delivered meal programs (137.8 units per recipient on average). The fewest 

service units per recipient were for nutrition counseling (0.8 units per recipient on average) and case 

management (6.1 units per recipient on average). 

Services - Most Common 

III-B Services Provided by 

AAAs

Area Agencies on Aging offer a 

set of core services as required 

by the OAA. Survey results 

showed that, on average, AAAs 

provide 27 services. Many of the 

most common AAA services are 

provided through Title III, Part B 

funding, which allows AAAs to 

provide supportive services that 

can be tailored to meet individual 

needs.