Evidence-Based Practice

Community Care Corps recently released their annual "Grantee Snapshots" publication, featuring the achievements of their 2022-2023 grantees. These snapshots offer program overviews, showcasing the innovative approaches these grantees have implemented to address the unique needs of diverse communities, including rural areas, historically marginalized populations, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The publication aims to inspire organizations to develop their own innovative programs dedicated to supporting the independence and well-being of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers.

This new issue brief, co-authored by Justice in Aging and the National Women’s Law Center, analyzes employment, income, and health data of older women of color and calls attention to targeted policy solutions to support them. There is a specific focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted the experience of older women of color and the data that reflects that. This brief emphasizes the need for immediate policy solutions that preserve the economic dignity and health support systems of older women of color.

On June 8th, CMS announced a new voluntary primary care model called “Making Care Primary (MCP) Model”. The 10.5-year multi-payer model is designed to improve care and strengthen coordination between primary care clinicians, specialists, social service providers, and behavioral health clinicians as well as address individuals’ health-related social needs. CMS is testing the model in eight states— Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington—and will work with these states’ Medicaid agencies to align their programs with the new model in key areas. CMS plans to work with private payers in the future...

A KFF analysis estimates that life expectancy in the U.S. dropped 2.7 years between 2019 and 2021, from 78.8 years to 76.1 years, largely due to COVID-19 deaths. American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people experienced the largest decline in life expectancy of 6.6 years during this time, followed by Hispanic and Black people (4.2 and 4.0 years, respectively). Also, provisional data for 2021 show that life expectancy was lowest for AIAN people at 65.2 years, followed by Black people, whose expectancy was 70.8 years, compared with 76.4 years for White people and 77.7 years for Hispanic people. It was highest for Asian people at 83.5 years...

The APS TARC has released a new toolkit for APS administrators managing a state of local APS program. The toolkit is intended to help orient new administrators with a brief which contains information and resources on topics ranging from the history of APS to federal resources that can support APS programs. The toolkit also includes an frequently used acronym guiode and the Updated National Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems from the Administration for Community Living.

The Aging and Disability Business Institute in partnership with AgeSpan released their newest case study, an exploration of evidence based programs in New England to promote health and wellbeing. The report examines the multistate network of Area Agencies on Aging brought about a collaborative approach to deliver new evidence-based programs and maintaining community connection.

The University of Kansas is seeking nursing homes to participate in an NIH-funded study testing an online version of the evidence-based Changing Talk (CHAT) communication training program. The CHAT program uses a person-centered approach to educate direct-care staff on better communication strategies with residents with dementia, which can reduce resistiveness to care and behavioral symptoms. This free online training can qualify for CMS dementia care training hour requirements.

This blog post explores how the aging network can leverage home and community based services to address needs and improve the quality of life for older adults with HIV/AIDS. The post explains what evidence-based programs are and provides examples of a few that can support this population, including Falls Prevention and Positive Self-Management programs. It also provides a list of trainings and resources to help better serve older adults with HIV/AIDS.

Through the Better Care Playbook, CHCS has organized a virtual panel of innovators to discuss challenges in applying evidence when designing and refining complex care program. This blog post shares key themes from the panel's discussion at the 2021 “Putting Care at the Center”conference, hosted by the Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs. During this discussion, panelists shared their experience translating research findings into decision making for complex care program design and improvements.

The NIDILRR-funded Community Living Policy Center published a research brief discussing the results of a recent study of the long-term services and supports needs of people with disabilities and older adults in the US. The study explores how many people need more services than they currently receive and the connection between unmet HCBS needs and community living and health outcomes. The brief describes study findings and potential next steps for researchers and service providers to address gaps in services and supports.