A new research brief from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston offers a wide range of lessons to help housing communities implement a service coordination model developed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in which the “role of the service coordinator has evolved to a more proactive level of coordination, engagement, outreach, assistance, and case management.” Continue reading
Tag Archives: healthcare services
New Index from PHI Ranks States on Direct Care Workforce Policy Supports
A new online tool is available to help policymakers, advocates, and other leaders in various states understand how they support direct care workers, where they can improve, and how they compare to other states.
Created and led by PHI, the Direct Care Workforce State Index offers an interactive, data-driven picture of how states’ public policies support direct care workers and how these workers are faring financially. Continue reading
Baker Administration Implements Behavioral Health Roadmap, Launches 24/7 Behavioral Health Helpline
The Baker Administration announced the implementation of its Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform with the opening of 25 Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs), community-based crisis intervention services, and launch of the 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line. This marks a historic development in access to behavioral health services across the Commonwealth. Continue reading
LeadingAge Mass. and MassPACE Launch Resource to Establish Connections Between Services and Housing
In Massachusetts, there are over 100,000 units of subsidized affordable housing targeted to older adults including public housing and privately owned assisted housing. Since many
residents of affordable senior housing may be eligible for and can benefit from PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), partnerships and collaborations between PACE Organizations and housing providers provide an excellent opportunity to further support a building’s residents. Continue reading
National Poll on Healthy Aging Examines Religious, Spiritual Beliefs and Healthcare
The latest analysis from the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan found that, among adults age 50–80 with important religious or spiritual beliefs, 70% reported feeling comfortable discussing their beliefs with their health care providers, however, only 28% wanted their health care providers to ask about their beliefs.
Overall, most adults age 50–80 (84%) said that religious and/or spiritual beliefs are important to them, with 71% reporting their religious beliefs are important to them (45% very important, 26% somewhat important), and 80% stating their spiritual beliefs are important to them (50% very important, 30% somewhat important). Continue reading
National Poll on Healthy Aging: More Than Half of All Older Adults Have Been Caregivers
More than half of adults age 50–80 (54%) said they have helped an adult age 65 or older with health, personal, or other care tasks in the past two years, according to a study from the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan. Continue reading
BCBS Foundation Releases Latest ‘Facts and Trends” Report on MassHealth
According to the latest edition of the MassHealth: The Basics from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, one out of 10 MassHealth members is age 65 or over.
Most of those MassHealth members are classified at “seniors in community” totaling 174,960 individuals with another 20,300 “seniors in nursing facilities.” Continue reading
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins for Coverage Review and Changes
Medicare Open Enrollment began on October 15 and will remain open through December 7, 2022. Medicare’s Open Enrollment period gives people with Medicare the opportunity to make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare (also referred to as Medicare Part A and Part B). Medicare plans can change their offerings and costs every year, and individuals’ health needs can change from year-to-year, too. Now is the time for people with Medicare to review their coverage options and make a choice that best meets their health care needs. Continue reading
Baker Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Announce Five Year, $67.2 Billion Agreement for MassHealth Reforms
The Baker Administration recently received federal approval to expand and extend its innovative Medicaid (MassHealth) section 1115 waiver through December 2027. The demonstration approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) supports integrated, outcomes-based care for MassHealth’s two million members and brings a new focus on advancing health equity by closing disparities in quality and access. The demonstration also focuses on investing in primary, behavioral and pediatric health care, and sustains Massachusetts’ national leadership by maintaining near-universal health insurance coverage. Continue reading
FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Sale of Basic Hearing Aids
According to AARP’s Public Policy Blog, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved over-the-counter sale of basic hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss via a final rule taking effect 60 days from the date of publication (August 16).
This means that people will be able to buy these hearing aids in pharmacies, other retail stores, and online without a prescription. Allowing over-the-counter sale of these devices is expected to stimulate competition and bring down prices. Continue reading