The Buzz

The Aging and Disability Business Institute (ADBI) has released two parts of a new community-based organization (CBO)/health care resource that shares best practices for contracting.

Our latest policy brief takes a closer look at how California has implemented federal flexibilities to ensure the state’s long-term services and supports (LTSS) system is responsive to the needs of older adults and people with disabilities during the pandemic. Earlier this month, Manatt Health reviewed how other states have responded to meet LTSS needs.

In his latest Perspectives, Dr. Chernof discusses opportunities to drive change and meet person-centered needs during the coronavirus and beyond.

The Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee for California’s Master Plan for Aging delivered its final report to Governor Newsom, outlining a vision and goals for aging with dignity and independence. TSF is honored to have participated in the process.

Manatt Health highlights how states are using flexibilities available during the coronavirus pandemic, with an emphasis on continued access to long-term services and supports in the community.

Last week, the California Collaborative for Long Term Services and Supports wrapped up its webinar series on COVID-19. Access all the recordings and related resources.

On May 14, 2020, California Governor Newsom released the May Revision of the 2020-21 proposed budget. The revision includes cuts to and elimination of critical home- and community-based services that impact the state’s most vulnerable older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. Read the TSF fact sheet.

A poll from NORC shows that a majority of U.S. adults age 70 and older have canceled or delayed medical care since social distancing began due to COVID-19. It also reveals that 20 percent of older adults have had a telehealth appointment, and almost half say the experience was about the same as their in-person visits. Access the chart pack for the full findings and visualizations.

Alongside the long-term care flexibilities created due to COVID-19, mobility managers connect older adults and people with disabilities to transportation services in their communities. A recent AARP blog unpacks the latest trends.

A new poll from NORC, sponsored by The John A. Hartford Foundation and TSF, shows that a majority of U.S. adults age 70 and older have canceled or delayed medical care since social distancing began due to COVID-19, including one in six who have delayed essential medical treatments.

The nationally representative survey reveals that 20 percent of older adults have had a telehealth appointment, and almost half say the experience was about the same as their in-person visits. Read the full poll findings.

The Aging and Disability Business Institute annual survey unpacks how community-based organizations (CBOs) are adapting and expanding services to meet the health-related, social needs of older adults and people with disabilities. The deadline to contribute is May 1.

Health care stakeholders are changing how they operate to confront coronavirus (COVID-19). As new policies emerge, the Better Care Playbook has created a resource center to curate federal guidance aimed at addressing COVID-19 for people with complex care needs.

Millennial family caregivers experience unique challenges. Read perspectives in this recent Washington Post piece. Within it, Aisha Adkins expresses hope that the current COVID-19 crisis exposes what needs to be fixed in the health care system.

Health care stakeholders are changing how they operate to confront coronavirus (COVID-19). As new policies emerge, the Better Care Playbook has created a resource center to curate federal guidance aimed at addressing COVID-19 for people with complex care needs.

Also, ATI Advisory created a helpful slide deck to describe recent federal and state policy action.

The Aging and Disability Business Institute annual survey unpacks how community-based organizations (CBOs) are adapting and expanding services to meet the health-related, social needs of older adults and people with disabilities.

Today at 10 am, PT, tune into AARP’s Coronavirus Tele-Town Hall on caring for family, friends, and neighbors during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They’ll talk about creating a care plan, coordinating backup care, staying connected to isolated loved ones, and accessing local resources.

In addition, check out the following:

• We’re sharing ideas on ways to cope with the near and long-term effects of the pandemic—because we are all in this together.
• Family Caregiver Alliance has compiled a list of resources and articles for caregivers and their loved ones.
• An article from Recode shares how older adults can use technology to stay healthy and connected during this challenging time.

A spring report from the California Department of Aging highlights progress and learnings from Together We ENGAGE.

Every three years, based on results of the AARP Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard, we honor states making significant progress in improving LTSS for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers.

In 2017, Wisconsin was awarded the Pacesetter Prize for Choice of Setting and Provider. The state exhibited more progress in this domain than any other state, moving up from No. 8 in the 2011 Scorecard to No. 6. The next Pacesetter Prize recipients will be announced in summer 2020.

Learn about a Northern California model’s three-pronged approach to help long-term care residents return to the community.

New federal opportunities are prompting states to develop or enhance integrated care programs for individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. In this new brief from the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), early adopters of these care models share insights on the factors that drove their investment and led to successful implementation.

Dr. Chernof and the Administration for Community Living’s Lance Robertson published a Health Affairs blog on addressing social determinants of health through partnerships between health care and community-based organizations (CBOs).