Aging/Older Adults

CMS has available approximately $8 million in funding to continue to support States' efforts to address complex issues in long-term care reform. In addition, CMS was also awarded $5 million for Aging and Disability Resource Center /Area Agencies on Aging grants. Applications are due no later than July 17, 2008. Please see the full solicitation for details. Also included for background is a list of FY2007 grant recipients focused on person-centered planning and state profile tools.

This is the third in a series of reports examining various state systems and processes directed to older adults to realize the goals of the Real Choice Systems Change grants. This report analyzes the results of twenty-four focus groups consisting of 240 participants representing older adults, caregivers to older adults, and HCBS providers. In general, the results indicate Illinois has a plethora of programs and services targeting older adults, but there are disparities between communities.

This study is intended to describe the nursing facility level of care determination processes in use by the states and to draw general conclusions from the data collected. When read in conjunction with the previous work in this area, this study will aid state staffs, CMS, and other parties interested in understanding how to improve post acute care assessment. The Appendix provide a brief description of data the state collects, the name of the assessment form, plus contact information.

A must have tool for all projects, this detailed flow chart provides a phase by phase overview to developing an affordable assisted living facility and acts as a checklist for organizations as they move through project development.

Use this step-by-step feasibility analysis guide and spreadsheet model to determine the financial viability of proposed assisted living facilities. This tool provides an integrated framework to analyze a myriad of co-located services is built in to linked development and operation worksheets, automatically populates cells and provides information on financial feasibility of facility development.

Compare best practices from affordable assisted living projects in Florida, Vermont, Washington and Arkansas. Each study details proven project structures, such as a review of service fees, staffing patterns and project financing; lessons learned from project sponsors; and key distinguishing features such as new construction in rural communities or use of low income housing tax credits and conversion of public housing facilities.

This study evaluates the efficacy of applying standard market study methodologies and benchmarks for assisted living to rural markets and identifies factors that may contribute to the success of assisted living residences in rural markets. Written as part of the Coming Home Program, this publication offers ideas about how states with comparable policy environments should make allowances for more acute resident profiles, a more Medicaid-based payment mix, and higher market capture rates.

Over the last eight years, federal, state, and local governments have re-envisioned how to deliver and pay for an ever-growing caseload of elderly individuals and persons with disabilities who need services at home, in the workplace, or in more costly nursing facilities. This discussion provides a vision and a context for HCBS reform consistent with CMS’ vision for reforming post-acute care that focuses on addressing system barriers and informing and empowering health care consumers.

This paper explores the various participant-direction models, existing quality management strategies, and the potential for change that allows participant-directed quality management systems to remain true to the core values they were founded upon. Participant-directed programs face unique challenges in meeting federal requirements while remaining faithful to the principles of participant-direction. Well-defined roles and responsibilities are essential and will directly influence the design.

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