The Buzz

The latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) poll shows Americans generally think their communities offer the services needed to age at home. Yet, people of color and people with lower incomes are less likely to report their area does a good job providing health care, transportation, and in-home supports, among other services.

“Americans want to age at home, but not all populations have the ability to do so—particularly communities of color and those of lower socioeconomic status,” said Dr. Sarita A. Mohanty, President & CEO of The SCAN Foundation. “Through the thoughtful use of the American Rescue Plan funds, states and localities can make a huge difference by creating more equitable access to key community services that make living well and safely at home a reality.”

Read the related Associated Press coverage.

AARP Public Policy Institute shares how some states are addressing the needs of older adults and people with disabilities by linking affordable housing to long-term services and supports (LTSS).

Check out recent Health Affairs blogs focused on improving access to quality care for people with complex health and social needs:

• Envisioning the Future of Complex Care
• Family Caregivers: The Unrecognized Strength Behind Hospital at Home
• To Improve Care for Patients with Complex Needs, Expand Home Visits
• Medicare’s Discriminatory Coverage Policies for Substance Use Disorders

Explore the latest toolkit from The National Center for Complex Health & Social Needs comprised of best practices for developing complex care programs.

Person-driven outcome (PDO) measures assess the quality of care based on what matters most to individuals. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is building PDO measures into their programs for health care entities and states to consider using in order to drive quality and accountability. Learn more.

• Watch a recent webinar highlighting how states can apply enhanced home-and community-based services funding to quality improvement activities, including PDO.
• Register for the PDO briefing on July 21.
• As part of the NCQA Quality Innovation Series, join health care professionals for the PDO course on August 4.

The TSF 2021 Innovation Award recognizes organizations that embrace the principles of human-centered design to improve the lives of older adults in California. Learn more and apply today!

(If you received a link directly from ADBI, please use that link to complete the survey.)

New research from the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation shares Medicare-Medicaid beneficiary perspectives on integrated care and offers recommendations to improve enrollment.

• Read Listening to Dually Eligible Individuals: Person-Centered Enrollment Strategies for Integrated Care.
• Check out the Person-Centered Enrollment Strategies for Integrated Care Toolkit.
• Watch an expert panel discuss the findings and recommendations.

A Better Care Playbook blog highlights how older adults and people with disabilities who are homebound have lower rates of COVID-19 vaccine than the general population. Learn about steps being taken to consider the needs of homebound individuals and increase vaccination rates.

In 2020, TSF acknowledged the depth of disruptive change, focused on resiliency through creativity, and remained committed to its mission. Read our annual report.

The TSF 2021 Innovation Award seeks to recognize organizations that engage older adults in developing and crafting products and services for older Californians. Learn more and apply by July 15!

Read a new Bipartisan Policy Center brief identifying key challenges and opportunities to expanding Medicare and Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS), as well as policy options for congressional consideration.

Review highlights from the recent Forbes Health in Action event. Our president & CEO discussed person-centered care and health care transformation in a post-pandemic world.

Governor Gavin Newsom released the May Revision of the 2021-22 proposed budget on May 14. Read our fact sheet to learn about the budget surplus and Master Plan for Aging investment.

Join our president & CEO at two national events highlighting key issues in transforming care for older adults:

• June 8 at Forbes Health in Action: Dr. Mohanty and a panel of experts will discuss challenges in reaching older adults and other vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
• June 9 at the National Health Equity Summit: Dr. Mohanty will moderate a panel on eradicating ageism as a critical component of advancing health equity.

The TSF 2021 Innovation Award recognizes organizations that embrace the principles of human-centered design to improve the lives of older adults in California. These could include a range of contributions, such as:

• Research with older adults to better understand their needs, wants, and preferences;
• Ideation and iteration with older adults in product, program, or service design

Learn more about the 2021 Innovation Award and apply today!

Read a new brief by Health Management Associates, co-funded with The Commonwealth Fund, which tracks Medicare regulatory flexibilities created during COVID-19. It provides a useful framework for policymakers to consider which temporary flexibilities should become permanent.

Join us at Forbes Health in Action on June 8 to hear about challenges on reaching vulnerable populations during the pandemic, and its unique impact on older Americans.

Panelists:

• Sarita Mohanty, The SCAN Foundation
• John Kao, Alignment Healthcare
• Bruce Japsen, Forbes

Join us on June 9 at the National Health Equity Summit where a distinguished panel will address eradicating ageism as a critical component of advancing health equity.

Panelists:

• Sarita Mohanty, The SCAN Foundation (Moderator)
• Ken Dychtwald, Age Wave
• Nathaniel Kendall-Taylor, FrameWorks Institute
• Phyllis Meadows, Kresge Foundation
• Terry Fulmer, The John A. Hartford Foundation

Read recent articles highlighting thoughts from our new President and CEO, Dr. Sarita Mohanty, and TSF grantee work:

• The New York Times spoke with Dr. Mohanty on how COVID-19 made many families and older adults reconsider nursing home care.
• In an op-ed for The Hill, Dr. Mohanty shares why investing in a Master Plan for Aging and person-centered care models is essential.
• The Sacramento Bee article describes how the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) helps older adults age well in community during COVID-19 (via UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program).
• The Associated Press reported that Americans believe government should help adults age at home, according to a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

Register for the Better Care Playbook webinar on May 17 featuring promising strategies for identifying unique subpopulations with complex health and social needs to better tailor health care interventions.

Register Here

A new Health Affairs blog explores how a personalized, interdisciplinary approach to home-based primary care can improve health outcomes for people with complex needs during the pandemic and beyond.

California leads the way with a Master Plan for Aging, and other states are considering the opportunity. A key element of a successful Master Plan is committed leadership from elected officials. Learn more about Master Plan activities in California and other states:

• Read a new report from National Conference of State Legislatures highlighting policy approaches for meeting the needs of an aging population, including a Master Plan.
• Watch a briefing on a recent California poll where voters called for state leaders to invest in equity and the Master Plan.

Likely voters across California were surveyed on their support of the Master Plan for Aging and state leadership investment in key goals. On May 3, join us for this special briefing to hear poll findings and a discussion among key state leaders and stakeholders.

Register Here

The Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) and ATI Advisory released a “Frequently Asked Questions” brief on new supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage. For more information, watch their latest webinars, Advancing Nonmedical Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage: Part 1 and Part 2.

Apply now for the The John A. Hartford Foundation 2021 Business Innovation Award. The award recognizes community-based organizations for their strategic partnerships with health care entities serving older adults and people with disabilities. Nominations due by May 14, 2021.

Read a new report from the National Academy of Medicine on how care systems responded to COVID-19, outlining priority actions to move forward on person-centered care and public health efforts.

As part of the State Scorecard, AARP Public Policy Institute describes assistive technology, how it helps older adults and people with disabilities lead more independent lives, and collaborative approaches to expand its availability.

Read two recent articles highlighting TSF-supported work.

• The New York Times describes re-thinking care beyond nursing homes, and how states are responding through a Master Plan for Aging.
• The Conversation/Yahoo News discusses racial and other disparities when addressing care preferences of older people, and how health systems can become more person-centered.

The 2021 ASA Managed Care Summit at On Aging 2021 this Friday will unpack health inequities illuminated during COVID-19, and share ways community-based organization (CBO)/health system partnerships can help heal our communities.

To better serve people living with complex care needs, a recent report from by the Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs outlines core competencies for providers in this field.

• Attend a webinar hosted by Grantmakers in Aging and Grantmakers in Health to learn more about the Core Competencies for Frontline Complex Care Providers.
• Funders can also check out Creating New Connections: How Philanthropy Can Support Better Care for People with Complex Health and Social Needs for insights on key issues and ways to deepen their work.

Medicare Advantage plans have historic flexibility to provide nonmedical benefits — such as food, prescription delivery, and housing assistance — to meet the needs of their members with complex health conditions. Read more about these Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) from the Better Care Playbook:

• ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance explore the promising potential of SSBCI.
• ATI Advisory outlines actionable strategies for plans and providers to implement SSBCI.

Read a new brief from Resources for Integrated Care on key considerations for effective partnerships between health plans and community-based organizations (CBOs) to meet members’ needs, such as meal delivery, social engagement activities, and transportation.

• Learn about the growth of cross-sector partnerships in a recent blog post from the Better Care Playbook.

Results from an Aging and Disability Business Institute (ADBI) survey offer insights to help CBOs present a business case to health care entities.

• Read a blog post from the Better Care Playbook about Area Agencies on Aging meeting health-related social needs; and
• Complete CBO readiness assessments from ADBI.