The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) was incorporated 20 years ago. Our purpose then as now is to help Humboldt and Del Norte counties develop comprehensive and coordinated senior service systems.

Let's step back to 1980 to see how much has been accomplished. In the 1980s senior services were being developed. Cooperative ventures were rare, and access to health care limited. Home-based long-term care services were essentially nonexistent. There were no day care programs and no case management services. In short, older adults did not have many care options.

How things have changed! During the last 20 years the age 60+ population has climbed from 18,000 to 29,000 in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. We have witnessed an increase in the number of programs. Providers regularly participate in joint problem solving.

The community model of care emphasizes the older adult as the important hub around which services are offered. The AAA's role has evolved over time-creating and advocating for changes that promote independence and security. In the 1980s we built our organization and focused on cooperative projects to reduce elder abuse and build a geriatric mental health system. Thanks to the Governor's 1984 Senior Initiative and local creativity, many long-term care services were started. Service expansion continued into the 1990s-more collaboratives were formed to address emerging needs. We began to research the "baby boomers." We strengthened our advocacy purposes. During our 20th year, we are joining with senior centers to call attention to the demands an aging society will have on local communitites. The AAA is proud to be a part of the evolution of senior services. Our success today is tied to those early advocates whose vision guided us. Further, we acknowledge the work of those organizations that partnered with us on so many projects throughout the years. We eagerly look forward to the next 20 years.

Sandi Fitzpatrick is executive director of the Area Agency on Aging. Editor's note: AAA is the organization that provides the home to the Volunteer Center of the Redwoods and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; it is the community liaison for the HSU Over-60 Program; it runs direct services like the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (707-443-9747), the Senior Information and Assistance program (800-408-4636); and the Eldercare Employee Servicesprogram (707-443-3763). In addition AAA is the umbrella organization that spends Older Americans Act and Older Californians Act dollars on community programs like the Alzheimer's Resource Center, Adult Day Health Services and the senior nutrition programs.