Caregivers

The National Academy of Social Insurance published a new issue brief about universal LTSS programs in Europe and Asia. This brief provides an overview of the existing approaches abroad to the provision of universal LTSS, and considers lessons from an in-depth case study of Germany.

ACL issued grants totaling $1.4B to help older adults recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, funded through the American Rescue Plan. These grants will help provide meals and nutrition services, support family caregivers, help older adults connect and engage with others to reduce social isolation, re-open senior centers, and help residents of nursing homes resolve complaints.

The Alzheimer's Association has released this free online module on their website. This module will define dementia capable systems and dementia friendly communities. Then, it explores the role of public health and communities in contributing to dementia capable systems through support services and programs, workforce training, and dementia friendly communities. It will also cover support services available for people with dementia and their caregivers.

NCOA has partnered with the Medicare Rights Center to develop a toolkit for counselors who work with dual eligibles and beneficiaries. The toolkit includes a break down of coverage options in an easy-to-understand format for counselors and consumers. This toolkit was created following interviews and focus groups with counselors, and will be updated and enhanced with additional materials on an ongoing basis.

ATI Advisory, supported by the Robert Wood Foundation, has conducted research to create a package of recommended legislative and administrative reforms around LTSS and the caregiving workforce. The goal of the reforms is to increase access to HCBS, reduce the institutional bias in Medicaid, and create a strong caregiving workforce.

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care published a summary on CMS' latest guidance on nursing home visitiation, issued on March 10, 2021. The summary highlights key points and changes from the September issue regarding indoor vistation as well as lists potential concerns.

CMS, in collaboration with New Editions Consulting Inc. is offering free HCBS technical assistance to states who are: planning on expanding Medicaid home and community-based services, and/or changing approaches and strategies to be more responsive to CMS guidance, stakeholder input, and state priorities, and/or modifying current HCBS programs based on state and stakeholder experiences in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

The University of Southern California's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work has posted a "Crisis Care for Adults With Cognitive Impairment" resource on their website. This webpage includes a list of the types of cognitive impairment, a guide to person-centered care for adults with cognitive impairment and strategies for health care providers. Source: The MSW@USC, the online Master of Social Work program at the University of Southern California.

The Rehabilitation Research Training Center (RRTC) on home and community-based services (HCBS) recently shared their Spring 2021 newsletter titled HCBS Quality Matters. The newsletter provides an inside look at the RRTC’s work and the HCBS studies on which they collaborate. The Spring 2021 edition highlights the needs of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and includes stories on health disparities, employment, and person-centered planning.

Using data from the 2019 AAA National Survey, this brief, explores differences and similarities between AAAs serving rural and non-rural areas in structure, budget, workforce and service provision, including home repair and modification, transportation and evidence-based programs.