The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Administration for Community Living, released “Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging.”

The report lays the groundwork for a coordinated effort – across the private and public sectors and in partnership with older adults, family caregivers, the aging services network, and other stakeholders – to create a national set of recommendations for advancing healthy aging and age-friendly communities that value and truly include older adults.

The national plan on aging will advance best practices for service delivery, support development and strengthening of partnerships within and across sectors, identify solutions for removing barriers to health and independence for older adults, and more. Developed by leaders and experts from 16 federal agencies and departments working together through the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities, the report also reflects input from community partners and leaders in the aging services network.

The Strategic Framework captures the opportunities and challenges created by the aging of the U.S.  population and defines goals and objectives for addressing critical aging issues. It considers the many factors that influence the aging experience, as well as things all people need as they age, such as coordinated housing and services, aligned health care and supportive services, accessible communities, age-friendly workplaces, and high-quality long-term services and supports. Within these, the framework discusses key issues and work underway across the federal government, such as availability of affordable and accessible housing and promoting economic and financial security.

The report includes contributions from eight HHS divisions, as well as the U.S. Departments of: Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs; the Social Security Administration; and AmeriCorps.

The Administration for Community Living invites anyone interested to a webinar on June 10th on the Strategic Framework to learn more national plan on aging and how to get involved.