Older Americans Act: Dissemination of Research and Demonstration Findings Could Be Improved

GAO discussed the extent and effectiveness of the Administration on Aging's (AOA) dissemination of research and demonstration results under Title IV of the Older Americans Act. GAO noted that: (1) state agencies on aging received Title IV research and demonstration results from many different sources and used the information to shape their programs; (2) all but a few state agencies on aging were aware of some AOA research and demonstration results; (3) all but five state agencies on aging considered AOA research and demonstration results in decision making activities; (4) although most states were able to use some Title IV research results, almost all state agencies believed that AOA could make results more accessible and more easily understood; (5) AOA did not systematically disseminate Title IV results or monitor how agencies used those results; and (6) AOA reduced dissemination activities in 1980 and relied on others to disseminate results.