Caregivers

This brief draws from interviews with states operating new and long-standing MLTSS programs to identify six major trends in the refinement of MLTSS and underlying LTSS delivery systems nationally. The states examined in this brief are strengthening their Medicaid MLTSS programs to serve more LTSS beneficiaries and facilitate the development of integrated care programs that reduce service fragmentation for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees, particularly through Medicare Advantage D-SNPs

This report analyzes the challenges grandparents and older relatives face as primary caregivers. The report outlines the numbers of grandparent and older relative caregivers, and the reasons for this care. It also examines how HHS supports state efforts to use federal programs and initiatives to assist these caregivers. GAO concludes the report by making recommendations for how HHS could improve the sharing of information and best practices about older caregivers with states.

ARCH has developed voluntary guidelines for the operation of respite care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many communities are re-opening, and this document aims to help respite providers plan to resume services in the safest way possible. This handbook includes decision making guides on when it is safe to receive or provide respite, highlights important considerations for respite care during COVID-19, and summarizes key resources for respite agencies and family caregivers to learn more.

The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP released an update version of the Caregiving in the US report for 2020. The report contains updated data from research conducted since the report’s last release in 2015. Included in the report are data about caregiver prevalence and demographics, care recipient demographics, types of care caregivers provide, caregiver training and information needs, and other results from the research.

This week, the Senate Finance Committee released the language and summaries of legislation to help nursing home efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Act would call on nursing homes to ensure that a portion Federal relief funds, made available on or after July 1, for responding to COVID-19 would be used for personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 testing in long-term care facilities. The Act also has language for expanding resources for elder justice activities.

On July 2nd, ADvancing States, in partnership with n4a, Meals on Wheels America, and NANASP, submitted a letter to Congress requesting additional funding for OAA programs to continue providing COVID-related services and supports. The letter requests an additional $1.1 billion for these services, which was the combined total of OAA funding provided in the Families First Coronavirus Response and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Sercurity Acts.

This AARP Public Policy Institute research report examines support for family caregivers in managed long-term services and supports. The report finds that states have made progress in this area, but have opportunity to continue improving support for family caregivers in their MLTSS programs. One potential solution suggested by the report is to ensure that MLTSS contracts between states and health plans include clearly defined requirements to identify and support family caregivers.

This issue brief explores the results from NCOA's survey on how the opioid epidemic impacts older adults and their caregivers. The brief explains the survey methodology, discusses key findings, and proposes recommendations for the aging network.

Like many states, Michigan is facing a looming workforce shortage as their aging population grows. This policy brief from the Michigan Aging & Adult Services Agency highlights the challenges and opportunities in addressing the state's direct care workforce (DCW) issues. Challenges that have led to this shortage include low wage levels, lack of affordable comprehensive training, and low job appreciation and respect. This paper identifies various strategies for overcoming these issues.

The latest report in the AARP Public Policy Institute’s Valuing the Invaluable series estimates the economic value of unpaid family caregiving at $470 billion in 2017. The report also explores family caregiving trends, highlights federal and state policy changes since the release of the previous Valuing the Invaluable report in 2015, and offers further policy recommendations to enhance the well-being of caregiving families.