Aging and Disability Resource Center

The ADvancing States assessment of the AoA funded project to develop a national volunteer resource center to enhance engagement of volunteers in the Aging Network, especially Baby Boomers, consisted of an online scan and three follow-up conference calls with program directors. The results are synthesized in an overall brief and separated by program: Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), State Health Insurance Programs (SHIP), and Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman programs.

President Obama’s proposed budget outlines the Administration’s fiscal and program priorities for FY13. ADvancing States’s preliminary analysis is framed by an interest in aging and disability program funding. The analysis reveals the proposal’s requests for food and nutrition services, independent living, caregiver support, protection of vulnerable adults, and Medicare and Medicaid. The accompanying chart shows the President’s FY12 and FY13 requests for relevant aging and disability programs.

Social networking is an increasingly widespread strategy for sharing information. This brief is a summary of a survey ADvancing States undertook of aging network state information and referral (I&R) liaisons to gauge level of knowledge, interest in, and possible future use of social networking. It provides a brief history of social networking as well as potential areas in which the aging network can benefit from it, both for internal use and to communicate with the public.

Review a new survey of organizations that provide services within the I&R/A Network. The following themes emerged from the survey: aging and disability networks continue to integrate; the use of technology in I&R/A service delivery is slow to develop; the role of I&R/A organizations is expanding; and there are opportunities for improved coordination and quality service delivery. Review the recommendations that address these themes.

Collaboration between Long-Term Care Ombudsmen and Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) is beneficial in making informed long-term care choices. ADRCs are a vital bank of information for people considering home and community-based services in lieu of institutional settings. This report presents findings from a survey of states’ Ombudsman programs on what types of collaboration exist; some work with ADRCs by making referrals, conducting training, and/or exchanging information.

There are many opportunities for states’ Medicaid information systems and administrative functions to be federally subsidized with funding. This brief describes the variety of administrative systems that qualify for federal financial participation (FFP), including the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) and health information technology (HIT). The systems are used to support people with disabilities and older adults.

The aging services network is critical for those navigating the “information maze” in order to make informed decisions about long-term services and supports (LTSS). But most of these services do not target the majority of Americans who are private paying consumers. Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) are one service that aims to increase the level of services offered to private payers. This report includes the results of a survey measuring ADRCs’ engagement with private payers.

Are you struggling with what should and should not be included in an I&R resource database? NASUA has put together a compilation of suggestions, experiences, and ideas from the field related to establishing a database. The paper also addresses specific elements of designs and policy development.

Held in May 2005 this national conference was designed to meet the unique training needs of waiver program operators. This year’s conference, titled "The Sun Shines Brighter at Home," offered substantive opportunities to learn about the national initiatives, policy directions and grant programs that shape the current environment. The attached agenda has links to all of the presentation overheads.

ADRC grantees must serve at minimum two target populations by the end of the grant. This document details target populations and pilot sites for the twenty-four grantees.