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This resource from NCOA provides older adults with guidance on how to prepare for retirement. It includes five considerations to ease the transition out of work and remain social and inspired as they enter this new phase of life.

At a recent Medicaid Pathways Program (MPP) meeting, Estelle Richman, CHCS board chair, shared some valuable lessons from her 30+ years’ experience as a public servant at the federal, state, and local level. Estelle has held several positions, including Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia, and Philadelphia’s Commissioner of Public Health.

On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, The administration renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency, just before the initial April 16 expiration date. This will extend pandemic policies and flexibilities that have made it easier for millions of Americans to access health insurance coverage under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, access telehealth services, and sign up for health insurance. CMS released guidance giving states 12 months to redetermine eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP, and Congress extended telehealth coverage of Medicare for five months after the emergency ends in the fiscal 2022 omnibus spending bill.

“Aging in place" refers to living independently, safely, and comfortably in one’s home for as long as possible. In order to do so, home modifications and additional support are often needed to ensure that older adults are safe and have their needs met over the course of their aging. During January and February 2022, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging asked a national sample of adults age 50–80 about their perspectives on aging in place and how they feel about home modifications and available social supports.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted long-standing issues of understaffing and insufficient care delivery in nursing homes. On February 28, 2022, the Biden Administration announced it would be implementing a minimum staffing standard for nursing homes and increasing scrutiny on corporate owned nursing homes. This report analyzes federal data regarding nursing home staffing levels and how it effects residents' outcomes.

The Aging and Disability Business Institute is now accepting nominations for the The John A. Hartford Foundation 2022 Business Innovation Award. Each year, this award recognizes community-based organizations (CBOs) that have created innovative solutions to improving the well-being of older adults and people with disabilities through strategic partnerships with health care entities. The Institute is looking for nominations of CBOs that have contracts with health care entities related to advance care planning, caregiving, COVID-19 response, dementia care, and those that address health equity.

GAO analyzed state-reported data on telehealth use in six states selected, in part, based on variation in geography, Medicaid program size, and percentage of population living in rural areas. GAO reviewed federal oversight documents, interviewed state and federal Medicaid officials, and assessed CMS oversight against CMS guidance on using data to identify disparities in health care and target improvements. GAO is making two recommendations to CMS to (1) collect and analyze information about the effect delivering services via telehealth has on the quality of care Medicaid beneficiaries receive, and (2) determine any next steps based on the results of the analysis.

Through the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP), the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) offers targeted program support to Medicaid agencies seeking to promote community integration for Medicaid beneficiaries using Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). Based on continuing dialogue with states and other stakeholders, the use of technology has presented an opportunity for state Medicaid agencies to promote community inclusion and community living. As CMCS continues to seek ways to support states, IBM Watson Health was asked to conduct an Environmental Scan (referred to as Environmental Scan, or Scan) to identify existing and emerging technologies used to support community living and integration.

iLink Support Technologies delivers health and behavioral support, home security, in-home care, and emergency support to a customer’s home when it is needed.

When the federal declaration of a public health emergency (PHE) expires, many of the flexibilities initiated during COVID-19 will need to be rolled back, including changes in Medicaid enrollment and eligibility. ACL has developed a fact sheet to help grantees prepare for these changes ahead and continue to support older adults and people with disabilities who currently rely on Medicaid Coverage.