New Challenges: As longevity increases and the population ages, the need for housing, economic security, health care including mental and behavioral health , transportation, advocacy, and additional support services becomes even more relevant.
Consider, for example, the following statistics:. NASW urges Congress to continue its strong bipartisan support for the OAA by increasing funding for all OAA titles by at least 12 percent and by removing the threat of budget caps sequestration. Social Work Speaks , 10th ed.
Table 2. Commission on Long-Term Care. Report to the Congress. A short look at long-term care for seniors , Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Consider, for example, the following statistics: In , one-third of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 to 74 reported having at least one functional limitation.
References 1. What eligibility changes were made to the National Family Caregiver Support program as a result of the Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in ? Can older caregivers providing care to their own adult children with disabilities be served in the NFCSP?
Older caregivers providing care to their adult children with disabilities can be served in the NFCSP if the adult children are 60 years of age and older. States have the flexibility to determine the funding allocated to provide the five categories of services authorized: 1 information about services; 2 assistance with access to services; 3 individual counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training; 4 respite care; and 5 supplemental services, on a limited basis.
The OAA calls for States to implement a comprehensive caregiver program which includes the five services outlined, however; a State may address one or more of the service categories with other sources of funding.
Are direct payments to family caregivers to purchase services allowed in the National Family Caregiver Support Program? Direct payments to family caregivers are neither specifically included in, nor precluded by, the Older Americans Act. As such, direct payments to family caregivers may be possible to purchase services if so defined by the state.
Are grandchildren cared for by grandparents, required to have a disability or chronic illness including those with mental retardation and developmental disabilities in order to receive services? There is no requirement that the grandchildren have a disability. Under the NFCSP, states may design services for grandparents or older individuals who are relative caregivers. The child must be no more than 18 years old. Biological or adoptive parents were not included in this change.
Can respite and supplemental services be provided to grandparents and relative caregivers? If services are being provided to an older adult under the Older Americans Act, should the OAA continue providing payment for services if the person is later determined eligible for the same services under a Medicaid waiver? Individuals age 60 and over may receive benefits under the OAA but no individual is entitled to them.
An individual who is eligible for Medicaid benefits programs may also receive services under the OAA; however, the State may not require that OAA programs fund benefits that can be funded by Medicaid. Although individuals may not be entitled to specific services under the OAA, Medicaid-eligible individuals may receive such services.
Private pay services can create opportunities to reach a segment of the population not traditionally served by the network, however; such activities are optional for States, Area Agencies and service providers. In general, private payment for services occurs when individuals pay the full cost of the services they receive. The Older Americans Act does not forbid older adults from praying before a meal at a senior center or some other location that provides a meal with funding from the OAA.
The AoA recommends that each nutrition program adopt a policy that ensures that each individual participant has a free choice whether to pray either silently or audibly, and that the prayer is not officially sponsored, led or organized by persons administering the Nutrition Program or the meal site.
Are bible studies and other religious activities allowed at Title III funded program sites? Title III funded programs may not use OAA funds or local matching funds to support inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization. If the organization engages in such activities, it must offer them separately, in time or location, from the programs or services funded with OAA funds, and participation must be voluntary.
This restriction does not mean that an organization that sponsors the Title III program i. To what extent does the OAA now encourage the Aging Services Network to implement self-directed care options in all service categories? State agencies on aging, area agencies on aging, and Tribes have the opportunity to expand the decision-making roles of consumers in the type, amount, management and budgeting of the home and community-based services they receive.
Through effective and efficient models, including cash and counseling vouchers, expanded service choices, etc. Can Title III service funds be used to provide fiscal management services FMS related to nursing home diversion and other home and community based programs designed to maintain older adults in the community?
FMS supports self directed programs by assisting individuals with enrollment, payroll and employment tax issues, and by performing fiscal accounting and expenditure reporting to the individual and to the sponsoring program. Is this Model required to complete the State Plan? The Plan Model states that the Plan Narrative is to be 20 pages. Is this an absolute limit?
It is available to assist States in the development of the State Plans. While strongly encouraged, its use is not required in law or regulation. This web based tool will provide the resources necessary to develop a comprehensive, yet concise, State Plan on Aging. It is a recommendation that the State Plan be 20 - 30 pages in length with the opportunity to attach data and other reports in appendices. Some states may need more narrative, but clarity and conciseness are the intended result. What implications do the new targeting provisions create for service delivery and long-term care modernization?
The revision and addition of these two groups assures that the Aging Network will prioritize the provision of services to those individuals in greatest need of long-term care services, and address the specific needs of such individuals in all aspects of planning, advocacy and resource development. In some communities, such isolation may be caused by minority religious affiliation. Does the Reauthorization include specific opportunities to more fully coordinate transportation services?
In recognition of the importance of the role of the Aging Services Network, AoA entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Transit Administration in January As a result of this collaboration, AoA has become a key partner at the federal level in promoting the coordination of transportation across programs and agencies.
The Reauthorization contains specific requirements for States and area agencies to develop and implement comprehensive and coordinated systems for home and community-based services, including transportation. States and communities are encouraged to use the resources available at the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center , to assist in developing and enhancing coordinated transportation services.
Programs administered by the Federal Transit Administration e. With this option, the Aging Network is afforded additional opportunities to better meet local transportation needs and further the goals of United We Ride, including providing more rides for the same or fewer assets, facilitating access to services and increasing customer satisfaction.
A local transportation provider receiving Title III funds for transportation services may only use such funds for the transport of seniors and caregivers who are escorting seniors. Such services must be part of the overall comprehensive system of services in the planning and service area. First federal funds appropriated for social service programs for older persons under the Social Security Act.
Special Staff on Aging established within the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, to coordinate responsibilities for aging. Housing act authorized a direct loan program for non-profit rental projects, for the elderly at low interests rates, and lowered eligibility ages for public-low-rent housing, for low-income women to age Social Security Administration eliminated age 50 as minimum for qualifying for disability benefits, and liberalized the retirement test and the requirement for fully insured status.
Social Security Amendments lowered the retirement age for men from 65 to 62, liberalized the retirement test, and increased minimum benefits and benefits to aged widows. Legislation introduced in Congress, to establish an independent and permanent Commission on Aging. Older Americans Act signed into law on July 14 Older Americans Act extended for two years, and provisions made for the Administration on Aging to study the personnel needs in the aging field.
The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies for multi-purpose senior centers, and created the Community Service Employment grant program for low-income persons age 55 and older, administered by the Department of Labor. These programs included protective services, homemaker services, transportation services, adult day care services, training for employment, information and referral, nutrition assistance, and health support.
Housing and Community Development Act enacted; provided for low-income housing for the elderly and handicapped, pursuant to the Housing Act of National Institute on Aging created to conduct research and training related to the aging process, and the diseases and problems of an aging population. Title V of the Farm and Rural Housing Program of expanded to include the rural elderly as a target group.
Older Americans Act Amendments required changes in Title VII nutrition program, primarily related to the availability of surplus commodities through the Department of Agriculture. The old Title V became the Community Service Employment grant program for low-income persons, age 55 and older created under the amendments as Title IX. Congregate Housing Services Act authorized contracts with local public housing agencies and non-profit corporations, to provide congregate independent living service programs.
OAA amendments required each state to establish a long-term care ombudsman program to cover nursing homes.
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