Official State of Iowa Website
Agencies A-Z
Programs & Services

Support Organizations for Older Persons and Dependent Adults

Iowa Legal Aid

Iowa Legal Aid is a non-profit agency that provides legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Iowans. Information and resources for older Iowans can be found on the Legal Aid website. They can be reached by phone at 800-532-1503 or, for Iowans 60 or older, 800-992-8161.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

An Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a nonprofit agency designated by the State of Iowa to address the needs and concerns of all older persons in Iowa. There are six area agencies on aging in Iowa each covering a specific area of the state. AAAs coordinate and offer services that help older adults who want to stay in their homes to remain there, provide support for older persons, and provide information about available programs including home-delivered meals, benefits programs, and case management. They also provide support for caregivers and work with individuals and families experiencing elder abuse. Each of the six AAAs has an elder rights specialist trained in abuse prevention and available to listen and find options. 

Map of the six divisions of the Iowa Area Agencies on Aging

 

The six area agencies on aging:

The AAAs, along with others, also serve adults with disabilities, caregivers, veterans and their families as partners in the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), known as Lifelong Links. Through this program, adults and their caregivers can receive neutral information and counseling about long-term services and support. You can find information on the Lifelong Links website or by calling (866) 468-7887.

State Long Term Care Ombudsman

Federal and state law require residents of nursing homes, assisted living programs, and elder group homes to have access to the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO). Each facility or program in Iowa has a Local LTCO assigned to it. The name and contact information for the Local LTCO must be posted at the facility or program and the resident must have the right to contact the Local LTCO. See Iowa Code chapter 231. 

In addition to monitoring the overall health, safety, welfare, and rights of those living facilities and programs, the Local LTCO advocates for individuals living in facilities and programs by representing their individual interests. The Local LTCO is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice. The Local LTCO investigates and resolves complaints made by residents or by someone on their behalf. The Local LTCO can discuss resident rights and make sure those rights are met. The Local LTCO has power under the law to enter a facility or program and to meet with a resident and others. Anything shared with the Local LTCO is confidential unless they are given permission to share it. For example, a Local LTCO cannot report abuse of a resident unless the resident or the resident’s legal representative approves. When helping a resident, the Local LTCO may review facility or program records and meet with staff. The Local LTCO also helps residents who are being transferred or discharged.

Where can I get more information or help?

Office of Public Guardian (OPG)

The Office of Public Guardian (OPG) is an office of the State of Iowa. It provides information about guardianship, conservatorship, and other substitute decision making options for supporting older adults and adults with disabilities; education and resources for guardians and conservators; and guardianship and conservatorship services if there is no other person who can or will serve. A person must qualify for services and there is an application process. 

Where can I get more information or help?  

Disability Rights Iowa (DRI)

Disability Rights Iowa (DRI) is a non-profit agency that protects people with disabilities in Iowa. It does this by offering legal and advocacy services to persons with disabilities who have been treated unfairly or put in danger. DRI is the protection and advocacy agency for the state of Iowa. You can find information on the Disability Rights Iowa website. They can be reached by phone at (515) 278-2502 or by email at info@driowa.org.

Iowa Victim Service Call Center and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs

The Iowa Victim Service Call Center helps victims and survivors of crime in Iowa. Victims and survivors of crime may call the Call Center. Family members, friends, or anyone else who is concerned about a person can call, too. Advocates at the Call Center are there to help people who want to talk about what happened to them, are looking for information or help, need help reporting what happened to them, or just need someone to listen. Callers never have to share their name and all services are free and confidential. The Call Center website includes information about resources and local programs. If a person does not feel safe or comfortable calling their local program, any program in the state can help. Help is available no matter the person’s age, sex, or other identifier and there are programs that serve specific groups such as people who are deaf or hard of hearing or are members of a cultural community.

Where can I get more information or help?

United States Department of Justice - Elder Justice Initiative

The Elder Justice Initiative website is provided by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). It provides information about elder abuse and resources for help in Iowa and across the country. It also provides information about financial fraud against older persons and a national hotline for reporting fraud.

Where can I get more information or help?

Fight Cybercrime Nonprofit

The National Cybercrime Support Network is a nonprofit organization created to provide resources, support, and training to recognize, report, and recover from online fraud. The organization also has a romance scams recovery group for victims of online romance scams. The sessions are online and led by a certified counselor who helps people work through the loss, embarrassment, and isolation they often feel. A person can apply for help for themselves or for someone they know who needs help. A person can take part in the program without sharing their name or identity.

Where can I get more information or help?

Ask a Law Librarian

Related Pages

Abuse of Older Persons & Dependent Adults

The information in the People's Law Library is for informational purposes only. Nothing on this website is legal advice. The law is complicated and many aspects of the law change regularly. Consider reaching out to a lawyer. More information about how to find a lawyer, including free and low-cost options, is available on the Finding a Lawyer page.

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