Aging/Older Adults

September is Healthy Aging Month, and the Healthy Program 2030 program sets measurable national objectives, including objectives that are focused on reducing health problems and improving the quality of life for older adults. Healthy People 2030 has population data on older adults and evidence-based resources that anyone can use.

On September 9, The Long-Term Quality Alliance hosted a member-only discussion about the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging. LTQA submitted comments on September 15. The recommendations focus on the need for greater coordination across healthcare, housing, and supportive services and long-term services and supports financing models. LTQA has published the comments.

The aging population is increasing, which means that more Medicare beneficiaries, especially those 75 and older, have considerable morbidity, diminished quality of life, and a high degree of caregiver burden. The increase of medically complex Medicare beneficiaries has created a need for developing core measures for tracking and improving the quality of care this population receives. This article discusses how to leverage Medicare Advantage to support diverse older patients, a different framework to improve quality in Medicare, and the development of a care set of measures for age-friendly care.

The National Council on Aging is leading the 17th annual Falls Prevention Week during the week of September 23-27. Community organizations and senior centers nationwide will hold events to educate older adults about how to reduce their risk of a fall by offering evidence-based falls prevention programs, workshops, screenings, and more. NCOA partners in cities such as Albuquerque, Seattle, Dallas, and Fort Worth will host events targeted to Native American, Japanese, Chinese, Black, and Hispanic older adults. The participants will explore home safety tips, strength and balance tests, medication reviews, and shoe fitting screenings.

AARP’s Public Policy Institute recently released a comprehensive report detailing AARP’s vision for a national plan on aging. The report includes four recommended goals with accompanying policy opportunities that can help guide ongoing national efforts to establish and implement a plan. The paper also highlights the value of best practices and lessons learned from local, state, and global strategic plans on aging.

Health Affairs released an article discussing how state policy makers can address the LTSS gap under existing authorities including expanding Medicaid eligibility and the State Plan Amendments, Section 115 Demonstrations, Older Americans Act funding, and other state-driven initiatives. The LTSS gap is comprised of "near Medicaid-eligible individuals" who experience higher rates of disability and less access to caregiver support compared to Medicare beneficiaries. This paper includes insights and recommendations that can be used to address the needs of a broad range of individuals who can't afford LTSS.

The SAGE National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging released this fact sheet to highlight the changes to Older Americans Act Regulations from ACL. The fact sheet also includes how to be a proponent for LGBTQ+ and HIV inclusion, what the changes of the OAA means for LGBTQ+ and HIV specific community organizations, and how to start advocating for a more inclusive Aging Network.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a strategic framework for a national plan on aging, aiming to advance healthy aging and age-friendly communities. The report involves input from federal agencies and various stakeholders including older adults, family caregivers, and the aging services network. The national plan on aging will advance best practices for service delivery, support development and strengthening of partnerships within and across sectors, identify solutions for removing barriers to health and independence for older adults, and more. Key aspects include service delivery, health care access, affordable housing, and economic security.

The Administration for Community Living has released the 2023 Profile of Older Americans, which provides statistics on the U.S. older adult population using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Profile illustrates the shifting demographics of Americans 65 and older. It includes key topic areas such as future population growth, marital status, living arrangements, income, employment, and health.

On April 15, 2024, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) opened applications for the Elder Just Innovation Grant (EJIG). The EGIJ program aims to support the development and advancement of new and emerging issues related to elder justice. Funded programs will contribute to the improvement of the field of elder abuse prevention and intervention. Applications are due June 18, 2024.