Real People, Real Problems


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Older Americans Act


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Families Caring for an Aging America


Book Description

Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.




The Aging Networks


Book Description

Praise for the Eighth Edition: “This small volume is not only an excellent learning tool, but also a "must-have" handbook for aging professionals in many fields.” -Noreen A. Shugrue Research Associate, University of Connecticut Center on Aging Farmington, CT Educational Gerontology This classic text—more relevant than ever as our population rapidly ages—delivers comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge about aging services in the U.S. Written for both students and practitioners of gerontology, along with all professionals involved in the well-being of older adults, this highly accessible book provides a current and detailed description and analysis of local to global services for older people with or without cognitive, physical, or social needs. The Ninth Edition is updated to reflect critical changes to legislation, health care, and recent trends. It focuses on the strengths and diversity of older adults and the role our multilayered aging networks play in advocacy, community independence, and engagement. Commentary and critical thinking challenges from policymakers, program directors, and educators facilitate high-level reasoning and independent analysis of aging networks past, present, and future. The ninth edition also offers enhanced resources including a Test Bank, Instructor’s Manual, PowerPoint slides, and links to video. Additionally, the print version of the book includes free, searchable, digital access to the entire contents. New to the Ninth Edition: Fully updated to reflect historical context, recent trends and challenges, and future considerations Addresses the effects of our current political and ideological landscape on aging networks including a Call to Action Examines the current status of Medicare and Medicaid, Meals-on-Wheels, and the impact of the ACA Discusses long-term services and supports, disaster preparedness and climate change, caregiving as a human right, and LBGTQ services and support Presents new case studies providing evidence-based best-practice initiatives and new innovations Delivers enhanced instructor resources including Test Bank, Instructor’s Manual, Power Point slides, and video links Key Features: Focuses on the strengths of older adults and the role our multilayered aging networks play in advocacy, community independence, and engagement Provides commentary and critical thinking challenges from policy-makers, program directors, and educators to facilitate high-level analysis Addresses changing demographics and future challenges Offers “Voices from the Field” boxes and “Critical Thinking” topics and questions to encourage reflection and discussion




The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults


Book Description

At least 5.6 million to 8 million-nearly one in five-older adults in America have one or more mental health and substance use conditions, which present unique challenges for their care. With the number of adults age 65 and older projected to soar from 40.3 million in 2010 to 72.1 million by 2030, the aging of America holds profound consequences for the nation. For decades, policymakers have been warned that the nation's health care workforce is ill-equipped to care for a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse population. In the specific disciplines of mental health and substance use, there have been similar warnings about serious workforce shortages, insufficient workforce diversity, and lack of basic competence and core knowledge in key areas. Following its 2008 report highlighting the urgency of expanding and strengthening the geriatric health care workforce, the IOM was asked by the Department of Health and Human Services to undertake a complementary study on the geriatric mental health and substance use workforce. The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults: In Whose Hands? assesses the needs of this population and the workforce that serves it. The breadth and magnitude of inadequate workforce training and personnel shortages have grown to such proportions, says the committee, that no single approach, nor a few isolated changes in disparate federal agencies or programs, can adequately address the issue. Overcoming these challenges will require focused and coordinated action by all.




Older Americans Act of 1965, as Amended


Book Description

The legislation, administration, funding, history of programs, and related acts to assist older persons have been drawn together to provide a single source of information on all aspects of the Older Americans Act of 1965. The entitlements include the purposes and implementation plans for grants to state and community programs, such as disaster relief and nutrition services; training, research and discretionary projects such as legal services or long-term care; community service employment; and grants to Indian tribes. Relevant sections of the related acts include adult education, civil rights, economic opportunity, food stamps, housing, rehabilitation, urban mass transit, etc.




Retooling for an Aging America


Book Description

As the first of the nation's 78 million baby boomers begin reaching age 65 in 2011, they will face a health care workforce that is too small and woefully unprepared to meet their specific health needs. Retooling for an Aging America calls for bold initiatives starting immediately to train all health care providers in the basics of geriatric care and to prepare family members and other informal caregivers, who currently receive little or no training in how to tend to their aging loved ones. The book also recommends that Medicare, Medicaid, and other health plans pay higher rates to boost recruitment and retention of geriatric specialists and care aides. Educators and health professional groups can use Retooling for an Aging America to institute or increase formal education and training in geriatrics. Consumer groups can use the book to advocate for improving the care for older adults. Health care professional and occupational groups can use it to improve the quality of health care jobs.




Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community


Book Description

The U.S. population of older adults is predicted to grow rapidly as "baby boomers" (those born between 1946 and 1964) begin to reach 65 years of age. Simultaneously, advancements in medical care and improved awareness of healthy lifestyles have led to longer life expectancies. The Census Bureau projects that the population of Americans 65 years of age and older will rise from approximately 40 million in 2010 to 55 million in 2020, a 36 percent increase. Furthermore, older adults are choosing to live independently in the community setting rather than residing in an institutional environment. Furthermore, the types of services needed by this population are shifting due to changes in their health issues. Older adults have historically been viewed as underweight and frail; however, over the past decade there has been an increase in the number of obese older persons. Obesity in older adults is not only associated with medical comorbidities such as diabetes; it is also a major risk factor for functional decline and homebound status. The baby boomers have a greater prevalence of obesity than any of their historic counterparts, and projections forecast an aging population with even greater chronic disease burden and disability. In light of the increasing numbers of older adults choosing to live independently rather than in nursing homes, and the important role nutrition can play in healthy aging, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened a public workshop to illuminate issues related to community-based delivery of nutrition services for older adults and to identify nutrition interventions and model programs. Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community summarizes the presentations and discussions prepared from the workshop transcript and slides. This report examines nutrition-related issues of concern experienced by older adults in the community including nutrition screening, food insecurity, sarcopenic obesity, dietary patterns for older adults, and economic issues. This report explores transitional care as individuals move from acute, subacute, or chronic care settings to the community, and provides models of transitional care in the community. This report also provides examples of successful intervention models in the community setting, and covers the discussion of research gaps in knowledge about nutrition interventions and services for older adults in the community.




Home- and Community-Based Services for Older Adults


Book Description

As older adults and their families opt out of nursing homes, a range of home and community-based services (HCBS) have risen up to provide care. HCBS span platforms and approaches, from home health care to assisted living to community-based hospice to adult day services. These models are, for most, preferable to nursing homes and allow older adults to “age in place”—live longer in their own homes and communities. Home- and Community-Based Services for Older Adults examines the existing and emerging models of HCBS, including the history, theory, research, policy, and practices across care settings. Emphasizing the multidisciplinary and interprofessional practice approaches used to deliver care, this book is an essential learning tool for students interested in medicine, nursing, social work, allied health professions, case management, health care administration, and gerontology. As the population of older adults grows, the authors ask, how can we best meet the needs of older adults and their families in the most effective, cost-conscious way while honoring their care choices?




The Older Americans Act and the Aging Network


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