Aging/Older Adults

Each fall, the Eldercare Locator's Home for the Holidays campaign shines a light on an important topic affecting the health and wellness of older adults. This year, the focus is on encouraging older adults to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated before gathering with loved ones for the holidays. The Eldercare Locator’s 2023 Home for the Holidays campaign addresses connecting older adults, caregivers and families with information on vaccines and local resources that can help make getting vaccinated easy. Campaign materials include a brochure, vaccine fact sheet, aging network toolkit, and social media graphics...

The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) recently released a brief providing an overview of how California and Ohio engaged multiple collaborators, partnered and collaborated with public and private entities, used data and evidence, and integrated equity and inclusivity to identify key priorities and set specific goals and outcomes to advance healthy aging for all and support for caregiving through 2030 and beyond. Based on NASHP’s review, these two states are at the forefront of incorporating equity into infrastructure, data collection, and collaboration to support policy for older adults and family caregivers within their states.

On October 31, the White House announced a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) aimed at strengthening protections for Americans saving for retirement. This proposed Retirement Security rule expands the fiduciary standard to cover a broader range of financial advice, including new types of non-securities like fixed index annuities and one-time advice for transactions such as 401(k) rollovers. By closing loopholes and requiring financial advisers to act in the best interest of savers, the rule aims to reduce excessive fees in retirement products, promote competition, and protect American workers' retirements, ultimately offering greater peace of mind for those saving for retirement.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has issued a fraud alert regarding an increase in scam calls targeting older adults. The alert highlights that scammers may pose as organizations like "Eldercare," "Eldercare Locator," "Social Security," or "Medicare" and may request personal information or payment while threatening jail time or fines. The ACL advises individuals to be cautious, hang up on suspicious calls, verify an organization's contact information independently, and avoid sharing personal information or making payments to unknown callers...

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is seeking public comments on its information collection requirements related to the Assessment and Evaluation of ACL's American Indian, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian Programs Older Americans Act Title VI. OAA Title VI establishes grants to Native Americans for nutrition services, supportive services, and family caregiver support services. Information gathered through the Assessment and Evaluation of the Title VI Programs will inform ACL and its partners, other Federal agencies and administrators, current grantees, policymakers, and the field about ways to improve service delivery for older adults and their caregivers...

Justice in Aging recently released a fact sheet on the annual open enrollment periods (OEP) for Medicare and the Marketplace for the 2024 plan year and highlights issues that are of particular relevance to assisting low-income older adults. Medicare open enrollment is currently underway and ends December 7th. Low-income individuals may be eligible for financial assistance with Medicare costs through the Medicare Savings Program and Low-Income Subsidy/Extra Help. Older adults who are not eligible for Medicare and do not have other health insurance can use the annual fall OEP to enroll in or change 2024 coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplaces...

Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, the time when Medicare beneficiaries can compare coverage options and choose health and drug plans, began on October 15, 2023, and ends on December 7, 2023. Medicare Advantage and Part D plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices and decide on the options that best meet their health needs for coverage starting January 1, 2024. To help people with Medicare compare health and prescription drug plans during Open Enrollment, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the 2024 Star Ratings for Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans and Medicare Part D plans....

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published its latest report to Congress on protecting older adults, which highlights key trends based on fraud reports by older adults, and the FTC’s multi-pronged efforts to combat the problem through law enforcement actions, rulemaking, and outreach and education programs. The FTC found that older adults reported losing more than $1.6 billion to fraud in 2022. Because the vast majority of frauds are not reported, this figure represents only a fraction of the overall cost of fraud to older consumers, which the FTC estimates to be as high as $48 billion. The report also calls on Congress to update the FTC Act in response to the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling in the AMG Capital Management case...

AARP's latest Spotlight report highlights the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a combined federal and state program designed to integrate medical care with long-term services and supports (LTSS) for adults with complex care needs. Eligible adults age 55+ who participate in PACE are able to access a comprehensive range of services, including medical and dental care, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and long-term services and supports (LTSS). PACE has demonstrated success in improving the health and well-being of participants, has high satisfaction among family caregivers, and is cost-effective. This Spotlight provides essential information about the program, including: ...

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care recently published the Fall 2023 issue of “The Resident Advocate,” their newsletter for long-term care residents containing news and information on rights, care issues, and updates on national policy. This issue includes: Tips for living with a roommate in a long-term care facility, Staffing issues in long-term care and how you can advocate for change, Steps to take when there is a problem in your nursing home, Reminders for visiting long-term care facilities during the holidays, and Participating in this year’s Residents’ Rights Month.