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In response to the National Institutes of Health recently designating people with disabilities as a population experiencing health disparities, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proposed rule that would update the requirements for nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, KFF has released a data analysis titled “Working-Age Adults with Disabilities Living in the Community.”...

ADvancing States is pleased to publish findings from the 2022 national survey of Adult Protective Services (APS) Programs in the report Adult Protective Services in 2022: Responding to Evolving Needs in a Changing Environment. ADvancing States conducted this survey to assess the current state of APS programs and identify trends related to topics such as caseload, staff retention, and client assessment. Additionally, there was a special focus placed on clients experiencing self-neglect. Since the prior ADvancing States APS report was published, Adult Protective Services in 2012: Increasingly Vulnerable, the field of APS has experienced a variety of new opportunities and challenges...

AARP recently released a report using qualitative and quantitative data to depict sandwich generation caregivers who are caring for Medicare beneficiaries. The combined dynamics of Americans delaying having children and younger generations taking on caregiving for older adults are leading to a new picture of what it means to be sandwiched between two generations who need daily care. Early research has shown the negative impact the compounded responsibility of caring for an older adult while still caring for young children can have on caregivers’ physical health, well-being, and financial welfare....

Using data from the National Process Evaluation of the Adult Protective Services System report, the Adult Protective Services (APS) Technical Assistance Resource Center (TARC) has released three briefs on APS practice. Supplemented with NAMRS data, the briefs provide background and context for each of the topics and explore them in more depth than in the overall evaluation report.

ATI Advisory, in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, recently released three deliverables as part of their project to address equity in access to long-term services and supports (LTSS). This work has benefited greatly from the contributions of key stakeholders across 30+ unique engagements, including interviews, roundtables, and focus groups. The perspectives, insights, and experiences shared by these individuals were instrumental in the development of the project's findings and helped identify challenges experienced by individuals from historically marginalized communities in accessing LTSS....

The National Council on Aging (NCOA)’s article “Your Mental Health This Holiday and Beyond: 4 Steps to Combat Loneliness in Seniors” notes that loneliness among older adults can be difficult during the holidays, especially for individuals who live alone. The U.S. Census estimates that as many as 27% of adults age 65 and older lived alone in 2020; however, a person may experience loneliness even if they live with other people. Loneliness can affect anyone who doesn’t feel meaningful connections with others. NCOA’s article shares four tips for staying connected with loved ones during this holiday season, including prioritizing communication, facilitating social activities through local organizations...

On December 13, KFF released a snapshot analyzing the different types of coverage that people with Medicare have and the demographic characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries with these different coverage types, based on data from the 2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). This snapshot of coverage highlights that roughly half of all beneficiaries are enrolled in traditional Medicare and about half are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, such as an HMO or PPO. Among beneficiaries in traditional Medicare, most have some type of additional coverage that helps limit their exposure to Medicare’s cost-sharing requirements.

On December 14, Justice in Aging released a Q&A covering common questions raised during their recent webinar titled, “Topics in SSI – Practical Tips on Recent SSI and Social Security Changes.” Topics addressed in this Q&A include the 60-day appeal period, the SSI protective filing tool, SSI exclusion of pandemic-related financial assistance, and ABLE accounts, among other things. Information will also be provided on how to reach local Regional Communications Directors and other points of contact at SSA.

Mathematica, in support of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), actively contributed to the development of the 2023 Medicaid & Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Scorecard. This scorecard aims to provide a clear look at agency and state-reported data to improve transparency about the administration and outcomes of these programs. The MAC Scorecard, which is available at Medicaid.gov, draws on more than 30 data sets derived from state and federal reporting efforts. The measures selected for inclusion in the MAC Scorecard represent key data points that reflect CMS’s priorities across various facets of Medicaid and CHIP....

Justice in Aging has released a fact sheet focusing on Medicaid-funded assisted living facilities and their compliance with federal laws. This resource equips residents and their representatives with advocacy tools to ensure facilities follow the law and treat residents appropriately. Although this guide focuses on assisted living, the relevant federal laws cover any similar residential setting reimbursed through Medicaid HCBS. Accordingly, this guide’s advice generally applies also to HCBS-funded facilities for persons with disabilities, such as group homes and adult residential facilities...