Positioning the Aging Network for the Future of Long Term Care John Wren 4th State Units on Aging Nutritionists & Administrators Conference August 2006

Choices for Independence A Strategy for: Giving Seniors More Choices, Control and Independence in the Community Positioning the Aging Network

Policy Environment Growing Elderly Population Increasing Numbers of Impaired Elderly Growing Cost of LTC Dissatisfaction with Current System

Challenges with Current System Not Responsive to Consumers Institutional Bias Fragmented and Inefficient Very Expensive

Growth in LTC Expenditures

Aging Network’s Unique Assets Consumer Focus Advocacy / System Development Role Nationwide Infrastructure for HCBS Capacity to Reach People Early Trusted Source of Information and Assistance

Key Elements of Choices Empowering People to Make Informed Decision and to Access Needed Care Helping High Risk Individuals Avoid Nursing Home Placement Keeping People Healthy

Key Program Components Aging & Disability Resource Centers Evidence-Based Prevention Programs Community Living Incentives

Aging Network’s Unique Assets Consumer Focus Advocacy / System Development Role Nation-wide Infrastructure for HCBS Capacity to Reach People Early

Choices for Independence Current Status –Reauthorization –FY 2007 Budget

Strategies We’re Using to Achieve our Strategic Goals Goals Advocacy Consumer Information and Public Education Knowledge Development, Research Translation and Community Implementation Grants to States, Territories and Tribes Technical Assistance Effective and Responsive Management

AoA’s Overall Strategy “Strengthen the capacity of the Aging Services Network to play a leadership role in health and long-term care through initiatives that involve partnerships with other key stakeholders.”

Better nutrition and increased physical activity is well within reach. A partnership approach Outreach and mobilization to community organizations Partners encourage older Americans to eat better and move more

Strengthening National Programs Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstration GrantsAlzheimer’s Disease Demonstration Grants –Vehicle for advancing changes to a state’s overall system of home and community-based care –Require grantees to use evidence-based research from NIA and other sources in developing their plans Program Evaluation and TA Resource Center ContractProgram Evaluation and TA Resource Center Contract –Gather Best Practice Case Studies –TA – Replicating best practices & community-based alternatives –Link to federal and state long term care systems development initiatives

Strengthening National Programs Return Focus of Nutrition Programs as Wellness Programs Mini-Grants“You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging” Mini-Grants –Fund 8-10 nutrition programs; announce April 30 at Secretary’s “Steps to Healthier US” Summit $1.5 Million Earmark – “Bridges to Health and Wellness” –Provide high risk older adults, short term home delivered meals, nutrition education/counseling, referral to physical activity programs, and links to community wellness programs –Change the culture of home delivered "meal" providers – nutrition as a wellness program and a link to other community services

Health Promotion in Native American Communities National Resource Center on Native American Aging –Reducing LTC Needs through HP/DP –Counseling Healthy Behavior

Eliminating Health Disparities Among Minority Elder Individuals Target Population: Older Persons of Hispanic Descent Project Title: Project Salud A La Vida Grantee: Asociacion Nacional Pro Personas Mayores Goal: Increase awareness of— –cardiovascular disease in older Hispanic women –prostate cancer in older Hispanic men –need for annual influenza and pneumococcal vaccine Strategies: Multilanguage, culturally based, Fotonovela format Focus: Reach monolingual Hispanic immigrant elders in 4 cities

Eliminating Health Disparities Among Minority Elder Individuals Target Population: African American Elders Project Title: Obesity: A Leading Risk Factor for Healthy Living Grantee: National Caucus and Center on the Black Aged, Inc. Goal: Reduce obesity, a leading risk factor for chronic disease among African American seniors, including: –Cardiovascular disease; hypertension; kidney failure, & diabetes Strategies: Establish church-based aging and health advocacy committees that will disseminate health promotion information designed to: –promote weight reduction –improve nutrition –increase physical activity Focus: Reach African American elders through faith-based collaborations

Evidence-Based Prevention Grants Program Goal –Demonstrate efficacy of delivering proven risk reduction interventions through our providers Key Design Elements –$6+million over 3 years –12 projects & National TA Center –Public/Private Partnership Anticipated Outcomes

Older Americans Act Title III D Evaluation Involvement of AoA and the Network in Heath Promotion/Disease Prevention Evaluation of III-D underway through RTI International Literature Review and Expert Panel Observations Suggest Program Effectiveness AoA Seeks Observations and Information of Value for Health-Related Program Development at Federal, State and Community Levels

Making It Happen: The CM Enablers Getting the Resources Making and Overseeing the Grants/Contracts Providing IT Service and Support Keeping AoA Staff Healthy and Safe CCCS OE CPPD CWCBS ASA OCBS OAIN OCCP ES RSC CM