The Area Agency on Aging is designated by the California Department of Aging to serve as the lead agency in Monterey County and the local planners for services and issues concerning the elderly and carries out the provisions of the federal Older American's Act. The Area Agency on Aging is responsible for advocacy and grant administration to purchase services from community agencies, such as congregate nutrition, home delivered meals, legal services, in-home care, health insurance counseling, long term care ombudsman services, and day care for people with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the Area Agency on Aging provides local planning, program development, and advocacy. The Area Agency on Aging has an advisory council composed of 15 representatives that meet throughout the County on the third Thursday of each month.
Public participation is encouraged.
The Area Agency on Aging publishes a resource guide for seniors annually, the Food for Thought newsletter monthly, which can be downloaded here . It also maintains a separate website with complete services information including maps to senior dining centers, activities and links to related sites.