State/Agency Information

In January of 2013, ADvancing States sent a survey to its members and a list of long-term care contacts in the states seeking information about guardianship laws and practices and about how states assure appropriate use of durable powers of attorney. Review the results from the 20 states who responded.

New research from AARP and ADvancing States finds that two-thirds of states either have or will launch new initiatives to better coordinate care for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid services over the next two years. To contain the growth of costs and improve care, many are moving to risk-based managed long-term services and supports models. This research finds that a number of states are exploring approaches to dual services integration outside of the CMS models.

In January of 2013, ADvancing States sent a survey to its members and a list of long-term care contacts in the states asking how/where they are serving individuals with these complications and what services have been most effective. The survey is at the request of a ADvancing States member that works closely with their mental health program staff to serve individuals who are eligible for both mental health and aging/disability programming.

States endow Commissions on Aging Services with different responsibilities. States that have Commissions with more of an oversight nature advise states about aging issues and are responsible for working with legislators, advocating for seniors, and evaluating needs and services. More advisory Commissions offer guidance in identifying and researching aging issues. Results of a ADvancing States survey found that 20 states have Commissions in place, 5 with oversight capacity, and 15 that are more advisory.

The ADvancing States assessment of the AoA funded project to develop a national volunteer resource center to enhance engagement of volunteers in the Aging Network, especially Baby Boomers, consisted of an online scan and three follow-up conference calls with program directors. The results are synthesized in an overall brief and separated by program: Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), State Health Insurance Programs (SHIP), and Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman programs.

ADvancing States conducted a survey of state agencies on aging and disability to determine if they conducted participant experience surveys to ensure quality. This asked four basic questions: if the state conducts participants experience survey; the frequency of conducting the survey; how the survey was completed; and who conducts the survey. The appendices include sample participant experience surveys from various states.

The Administration on Aging makes funds available to grantees through state Discretionary and Formula grants. This table lists the grant estimates for FY11 and FY12 and compares them to the actual discretionary state formula grant allotment for FY10. The different programs included in the table are Home and Community-Based Services, Nutrition Services, Preventive Health Services, Family Caregiver Support Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect.

This presentation took place on March 20, 2012 at the Aging in America Conference to demonstrate how the aging network can benefit from working with other agencies to provide more integrated services. Namely, the State Units on Aging working with mental health and substance abuse agencies and programs to provide for more comprehensive care that takes into consideration issues unique to the aging population, such as suicide and alcohol and prescription drug abuse.

This survey was sent to all states and consisted of three questions regarding the enrollment of Medicaid providers of home and community-based services. Of the 23 states that responded, the results highlight different enrollment procedures and opportunities for HCBS providers and varying agency oversight. The results show that Medicaid HCBS provider enrollment oversight varies by state, the majority reporting that the Medicaid agency, as opposed to the state aging agency, manages the process.

This analysis of the President’s $3.73 trillion proposed budget for FY12 includes an outline of each funding recommendation for discretionary, appropriated programs. Included in the analysis is a comparison of HR1, the GOP-backed budget resolution that reduces spending via broad cuts, with the President’s proposed budget; a good indicator of what sorts of budgetary windows may be necessary for bipartisan support and how the budget may affect the fiscal health of aging and disabilities programs.