All States/Territories

This survey identifies trends and issues in the Aging Network and looks at how AAAs are responding. This new report details the findings of the 2019 survey and includes information on staffing, funding, services, partnerships, and innovative programs. The report is accompanied by the AAA National Survey Report Toolkit.

This report details the findings from a survey of the 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities regarding home modifications. The extent to which State Units on Aging contribute to maximizing access to home modification and repair has not been well understood. This report seeks to expand understanding of the role of these state agencies in coordinating access to and providing policy oversight and financing of home modification and repairs.

The Profile of Older Americans compiles data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a statistical summary of older Americans. The Profile focuses specifically on the population aged 65 and older and looks at changing demographics across individual categories, including population, income and poverty, living arrangements, education, health, and caregiving.

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.

This report provides a summary of changes that states have made to their systems for connecting individuals to benefits and explores state agency changes, challenges, and opportunities related to benefits access and enrollment during the COVID-19 crisis. Data and findings are drawn from the ADvancing States 2020 COVID-19 Membership Survey.

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.

The Health Resources & Services Administration released a fact sheet that details how Medicaid and CHIP providers can obtain payment from the Provider Relief Fund. In June, HHS announced approximately $15 billion from the Provider Relief Fund would be distributed to eligible state Medicaid and CHIP providers. The fact sheet includes eligibility requirements and suggestions on how providers can utilize funds for COVID-19-related expenses.

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.

The Administration for Community Living compiled all of the OAA COVID-19 guidance into one, comprehensive guide. This reference guide includes information on disaster declarations, as well as guidance for nutrition, ombudsman, elder justice, and other supportive services programs. Information on fiscal guidance and reporting requirements are also included. Additionally, questions and answers from all-state calls have been added to the reference guide.

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.