Surveys

USAging has released the AAA National Survey Chartbook for 2022, funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, offering comprehensive insights into how Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) address housing, social engagement, and health equity needs among older adults. This triennial survey provides crucial data on trends, workforce, funding, partnerships, and service adaptations within the Aging Network. Additionally, USAging offers a Chartbook Toolkit, including state-level reports, data briefs, sample communication materials, and presentation slides, empowering AAAs to benchmark their services, advocate for funding, and share their impact on older adults' well-being.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is partnering with the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to offer free COVID-19 test kits to aging and disability networks, ensuring continued access for older adults and individuals with disabilities. State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) can directly order test kits from ASPR's Office of Industrial Base Management and Supply Chain (IBMSC) for distribution to the people they serve. Currently, test kits from various manufacturers (Siemens, Ellume, or Quidel) are available, with a minimum order of 200 kits. Registration is open until September 15, 2023...

A new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) presents findings from a survey and analysis of state Medicaid programs regarding crisis services. The survey reveals that while most states cover at least one core crisis service, there are gaps in coverage, particularly for adults under fee-for-service Medicaid. Additionally, the analysis explores the delivery, administration, and integration of behavioral health care within state Medicaid programs, highlighting the disproportionate share of adults with mental illness and substance use disorders covered by Medicaid. The report underscores the need for continued study and strategic policies to address access gaps and increased utilization of behavioral health services.

The United States Senate has released a report titled "Uninspected & Neglected: Nursing Home Inspection Agencies are Severely Understaffed, Putting Residents at Risk." The report highlights the investigation conducted by the Majority staff, prompted by Chairman Casey's previous concerns regarding the Special Focus Facilities (SFF) program. Findings reveal that State agencies responsible for monitoring nursing homes’ are grappling with significant staffing shortages and insufficient funding, resulting in delayed inspections and potential harm to residents. The report addresses the historical awareness of these issues, the use of third-party contractors, the impact on quality ratings, the utilization of CARES Act funding during COVID-19.

This report is the most comprehensive and representative assessment of self-reported outcomes among older adults and people with physical disabilities receiving publicly funded LTSS since 2018. These data were collected from 13,663 people between June 2021 and July 2022. The sample includes individuals from 15 regionally representative states and a variety of LTSS programs, including: Medicaid HCBS, Nursing Facilities, and Older Americans Act recipients.

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and Brandeis University are gathering information on promising practices to support older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are interested in promising practices in future planning, outreach services and supports, and bridging the aging and disability networks. Please share your information via a brief survey by March 1, 2023.

Brandeis University in partnership with the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is doing a national search to identify promising practices and policies that support adults with IDD and aging family caregivers.

The Nutrition and Aging Resource Center has partnered with the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) to conduct a survey of local senior nutrition providers and area agencies on aging on the status of successfully reopened congregate meal sites after the COVID-19 pandemic. The input from this survey will be used to develop webinars, trainings, and other resources that will be housed in the Resource Center in order to share best practices.

KFF’s new state Medicaid budget survey anticipates Medicaid enrollment will begin to decline in FY 2023, following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The 22nd annual survey finds that states expect growth in Medicaid enrollment to slow to 8.4 percent in FY 2022 (down from 11.2 percent the previous year) before declining by 0.4 percent in FY 2023.

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, a program of the Federal Transit Administration administered by Easterseals and USAging with guidance from ACL, is lookig for survey participants to share challenges and promising practices in providing accessible transportation to older adults and people with disabilities. Survey responses will help guide NADTC's work over the next year.