Evidence-Based Practice

The Administration for Community Living AoA’s OAA Title IIID webpage now includes a chart searchable by keywords of all the highest-level criteria evidence-based (EB) disease prevention and health promotion (DPHP) programs that have undergone the AoA program submission process to become listed on the webpage. The Chart outlines thirty EB programs, including a brief description, costs, website and contact information, program goals, target audience, and training requirements.

Funding support to states under the EBDDP program has been provided by AoA to empower older adults to take control of their health. In these programs, seniors learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle through increased self-efficacy and self-management behaviors. Classes are provided to older adults: In their own communities; In familiar non-clinical settings, such as community centers; In peer learning groups which provide support, socialization and reinforcement of positive health behavior changes

Through the Older Americans Act (OAA) and other legislation, Administration on Aging (AOA) supports programs that help older adults remain as healthy and independent as possible in their homes and communities. This webpage provides a brief introduction to the Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services supported by the Aging Network, as well as a list of related resources and links.

This document sets forth the State of South Carolina's plan on aging in accordance with Older Americans Act requirements. The plan describes the mission and strategies of South Carolina's State Unit on Aging (SUA) to coordinate services for older adults. The Plan contains information on aging demographics, the mission for the duration of the plan, and sets out goals to empower older adults to be more independent, promote wellness, and expand home and community-based services.

This document describes the State of Maryland’s plan on aging in accordance with Older Americans Act requirements. The plan describes the mission, objectives, and strategies of the Maryland’s Department of Aging to coordinate services for older adults. Maryland’s department has a mission to enable older citizens to age with independence and dignity. This Plan describes Maryland’s aging demographics as well as different programs and approaches for its aging population.

This document describes Georgia’s plan on aging in accordance to the Older Americans Act. The plan describes the mission, resources, and strategies of Georgia’s Division of Aging Services and how it plans to coordinate supportive services for its elderly to expand OAA programs. Georgia used public hearings to identify services most needed by older adults and outlines a plan that includes evidence-based programming, consumer-directed services, and services preventing abuse and neglect.

Person-centered outcomes underpin all aspects of desired assisted living practices and care. Service planning and operational process focused on person-centeredness is able to deliver core promises of assisted living that maximize privacy, autonomy, and choice; fostering meaningful life, engagement, quality of care, and meaningful access to the surrounding community.

The estimated economic value of family caregivers’ unpaid contributions contribution was approximately $450 billion in 2009. If family caregivers were no longer available, the economic cost to the U.S. health care and long-term services and supports systems would increase astronomically. This report updates national and individual state estimates of the economic value of family care using the most current available data, and provides recommendations for taking care of the caregivers.

The AoA, CMS, and VA National Grantee Meeting was February 14-17, 2011. Use the attached links to find presentations from the 2011 sessions, available in PDF. Topics range from home and community-based services, evidence based care transition models, person-centered planning, aging and disability partnerships, and supporting caregivers. Full titles are available in the keywords section.

People receiving long term supports and services are frequently at risk for repeated hospital admissions, and patient care after a hospital stay is often fragmented and uncoordinated. Several types of technologies that have potential to support post-acute care transitions are discussed in this position paper. Studies suggest that the use of such technologies can lead to fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits, high patient satisfaction and acceptance, and reductions in cost of care.