It’s an ambitious goal with a short time frame, but the National Council on Aging is confident it can help improve the lives of 10 million older Americans over the course of the next six years.
In a goal announced Monday, the NCOA outline plans to help American seniors including access to benefits, job training, falls prevention and reverse mortgage counseling. So far, the agency estimates it has helped 1.5 million people.
“NCOA and our more than 2,000 community partners are very proud of what we have accomplished so far,” said James Firman, NCOA president and CEO. “Our goal is bold, but achievable. Through innovative partnerships with community and national organizations, we can and will improve the lives of 10 million seniors, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.”
The agency recapped its initiatives in 2013, including work with 78,000 seniors who used NCOA tools to help them decide whether a reverse mortgage is right for them. This includes the use of NCOA’s Financial Interview Tool, which is required in all HUD counseling sessions.
NCOA also helped 353,000 individuals in applying for and receiving more than $700 million in annual benefits, as well as assisting 4,600 older Americans with job placement, among other initiatives.
NCOA has been active in the reverse mortgage counseling space for many years and continues to provide Department of Housing and Urban Development- approved counseling to prospective borrowers.
Written by Elizabeth Ecker
