Aging/Older Adults

Justice in Aging recently released a fact sheet on the annual open enrollment periods (OEP) for Medicare and the Marketplace for the 2024 plan year and highlights issues that are of particular relevance to assisting low-income older adults. Medicare open enrollment is currently underway and ends December 7th. Low-income individuals may be eligible for financial assistance with Medicare costs through the Medicare Savings Program and Low-Income Subsidy/Extra Help. Older adults who are not eligible for Medicare and do not have other health insurance can use the annual fall OEP to enroll in or change 2024 coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplaces...

Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, the time when Medicare beneficiaries can compare coverage options and choose health and drug plans, began on October 15, 2023, and ends on December 7, 2023. Medicare Advantage and Part D plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices and decide on the options that best meet their health needs for coverage starting January 1, 2024. To help people with Medicare compare health and prescription drug plans during Open Enrollment, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the 2024 Star Ratings for Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans and Medicare Part D plans....

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published its latest report to Congress on protecting older adults, which highlights key trends based on fraud reports by older adults, and the FTC’s multi-pronged efforts to combat the problem through law enforcement actions, rulemaking, and outreach and education programs. The FTC found that older adults reported losing more than $1.6 billion to fraud in 2022. Because the vast majority of frauds are not reported, this figure represents only a fraction of the overall cost of fraud to older consumers, which the FTC estimates to be as high as $48 billion. The report also calls on Congress to update the FTC Act in response to the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling in the AMG Capital Management case...

AARP's latest Spotlight report highlights the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a combined federal and state program designed to integrate medical care with long-term services and supports (LTSS) for adults with complex care needs. Eligible adults age 55+ who participate in PACE are able to access a comprehensive range of services, including medical and dental care, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and long-term services and supports (LTSS). PACE has demonstrated success in improving the health and well-being of participants, has high satisfaction among family caregivers, and is cost-effective. This Spotlight provides essential information about the program, including: ...

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care recently published the Fall 2023 issue of “The Resident Advocate,” their newsletter for long-term care residents containing news and information on rights, care issues, and updates on national policy. This issue includes: Tips for living with a roommate in a long-term care facility, Staffing issues in long-term care and how you can advocate for change, Steps to take when there is a problem in your nursing home, Reminders for visiting long-term care facilities during the holidays, and Participating in this year’s Residents’ Rights Month.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently released the “Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults,” as part of their preparedness campaign that focused on empowering older adults as they prepare for disasters. This guide is intended to support older adults and their caregivers in preparing in three straightforward steps: assessing their needs, creating a plan, and engaging their network. The guide also provides easy-to-read, user-friendly worksheets that walk individuals and caregivers through a self-assessment to identify specific needs and checklists that create a personalized plan.

National Consumer Voice's (NCV) new fact sheet, “Advocating for Rights and Better Care in Nursing Homes,” provides tips for residents and families to advocate for change in their nursing facilities and advocacy strategies for impacting long-term care policy. This fact sheet offers practical steps for residents to address concerns within their nursing facilities, including having discussions with nursing home staff, participating in care plan meetings, utilizing the facility's grievance process, engaging with resident or family councils, and more. Additionally, the resource outlines advocacy strategies to impact long-term care policy, such as sharing personal stories, contacting elected officials, reaching out to the media, and participating

Community Care Corps recently released their annual "Grantee Snapshots" publication, featuring the achievements of their 2022-2023 grantees. These snapshots offer program overviews, showcasing the innovative approaches these grantees have implemented to address the unique needs of diverse communities, including rural areas, historically marginalized populations, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The publication aims to inspire organizations to develop their own innovative programs dedicated to supporting the independence and well-being of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a set of resources addressing the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) living with, and receiving care from, aging parents or guardians. The resources cover a range of topics, including interagency partnerships, engagement and navigation support, person- and family-centered support systems, and future planning, all designed to aid state Medicaid and partner agencies in better serving this population. The resource set also describes state policies and practices for understanding current and future service system needs for serving adults with I/DD and aging caregivers, as well as policies for states to implement person-centered planning...

Colin Alexander Health Law Fellowship - Justice in Aging Justice in Aging is currently accepting applications for its Colin Alexander Health Law Fellowship for Summer 2024. They are seeking a rising 3L (current 2L) law student who is passionate about advocating for low-income and underserved populations and possesses strong legal research and writing skills. This full-time, remote, paid fellowship will involve working on various projects related to Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare programs affecting older adults. The selected fellow will receive a $8,000 stipend, mentorship from experienced attorneys, and the opportunity to craft a post-graduate fellowship application.Applications should be submitted to hiring@justiceinaging.org by...