Reports

Review findings of a study of outcomes of adults with mental illnesses in the Cash & Counseling program compared to those receiving traditional Medicaid services. Such individuals experienced higher satisfaction with their quality of life and with their paid caregivers, fewer unmet needs, no more injuries or other adverse health outcomes than other patients, no significant differences in total expenditures, and were able to successfully manage the cash option.

Review this updated report describing the overall status of the U.S. population 65 years of age and older. The report includes 37 indicators that are grouped into five sections: Population, Economics, Health Status, Health Risks and Behaviors, and Health Care. It uses data from over a dozen national data sources to construct broad indicators of well-being and to monitor changes in these indicators over time. A Powerpoint presentation of the indicators is available as well as the full report.

This updated resource, the first reflecting a ten year perspective, provides a state-by-state look at wages and wage trends for PHCAs, the fourth fastest growing occupation in the country, and a key job title within the direct care workforce. Prepared as a resource guide on wages for advocates and policymakers concerned with this workforce, the data underscore the problem of low wages for PHCAs, factors contributing to workforce instability and near poverty incomes for this workforce.

Read the evaluation report of a training project for case management agencies that coordinate home care and Medicaid waiver services for older residents (Aging Services Access Points). The curriculum encouraged a shift in philosophy and explained the roles of consumers and case managers guided by a consumer-directed philosophy. Results indicated that the regional training was highly effective in achieving its goals. Detailed information about methods of training and evaluation are included.

Ten grants were awarded to states to develop a profile of the publicly funded LTC system and to assist CMS to develop national benchmarks that will be used to measure the degree and success of states' efforts to offer community based LTC services. Review Michigan’s report which focuses on the priority population of the elderly and adults with physical disabilities, but also includes systems that serve adults with developmental disabilities, adults with mental illness and children.

Find case studies and articles related to organizational change from traditional facility and group-based services to individualized supports. Reports present learned lessons and challenges based on site visits to organizations which offer supports for community living, employment and are engaged in change initiatives. New reports from 2011 include "Organizational Change: Approaches & Strategies" and "Stepping out of the Organizational Comfort Zone."

Under a Cooperative Agreement with AoA, the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging convened a panel of experts on strengthening the LTC workforce. The experts were organized to address five areas of concern: supply of DCWs and family caregivers; retention of these helpers; readiness or capacity of these helpers to provide care; quality of care they provide in terms of outcomes for those in their care; and the impact of the ACA, including the CLASS Act, on family caregivers.

Read about the implementation of the Workforce Inclusion Act of 2002 in CA. This study examined the use of In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) in the workplace and barriers to its use. Information was collected on the impact of state budget cuts and program changes made for fiscal year 2009-10. A policy recommendation was made to modify IHSS by giving consumers more flexibility in using their IHSS hours with less task-specificity, and increasing consumer-direction of their authorized hours.

Since the inception of the HCBS waivers, Minnesota has experienced an increased demand to provide services to individuals living in the community. Review a report on county and state use of available resources for the following waiver programs in MN: Community Alternative Care (CAC), Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI), Developmental Disabilities (DD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Overviews of each waiver are provided as well as enrollment and expenditure data.

The authors of this report conclude that in the 10 years since the Olmstead decision, there has been little national (though some individual state) progress moving people with disabilities out of nursing facilities and public institutions and into communities with supports. The report includes an overview of Olmstead, institutional data, and recommendations for improvement.