You may have heard that the federal government is developing a strategic framework for a national plan on aging. Read on to learn more about these efforts and how to get involved.
On a 105-degree August day in downtown Dallas, nearly three dozen older adults met at a local senior resource center to talk about aging. The conversation covered where older adults live, what and who supports their health and well-being, and how they participate in their community. Their responses were sometimes startling, the challenges far-too-common, the stories of resilience and community inspiring, and all of it will inform a National Plan on Aging to improve the experiences of older adults in America.
The session was sponsored by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities (ICC). The Older Americans Act authorizes the ICC, and the Administration for Community Living (ACL), an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, leads its work. The ICC seeks to improve coordination across federal agencies to promote healthy aging and age-friendly communities.
ACL released Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging in May to set the stage for a national plan. A key component is ensuring the voices of those most affected by aging programs and policies are included in its development. That’s critical to meeting the plan’s goals for person-centeredness, inclusion, respect, collaboration and innovation.
The Dallas session was one of four initial opportunities held across the country to gather perspectives. Others were held in Washington, DC, rural Pittsburgh and Mobile, AL, with more than 170 older adults participating.
Engaging the Community
Policymakers do not inherently know, and should not assume, what people across the country want or need in their aging experience. That’s why the ICC is committed to ensuring that the perspectives of community members, including older adults with the greatest economic and social needs and their caregivers, are at the heart of the National Plan on Aging. Listening sessions held in diverse geographic areas, including people from a variety of backgrounds, can reveal new insights or validate what’s common across different communities.
English- and Spanish-speaking participants in Dallas shared challenges, many echoed in the other sessions, around healthcare affordability, lack of employment opportunities, limited housing support and far-too-few transportation options in a region where people are dependent upon cars to get around. They also shared concerns about financial security. One older adult said, “I may have to work until I’m 90 years old because of my limited resources. I call it the deception of retirement.”
‘As one participant astutely said, “Everybody gets old. We must help each other.” ’
Among the challenges shared, just as much support and information-exchange occurred. A real sense of community was palpable—with participants offering resource recommendations and an empathetic ear to their neighbors. As one participant astutely said, “Everybody gets old. We must help each other.” This may well be the clarion call for the National Plan on Aging.
In addition to the listening sessions with older adults, ACL and our collaborating organizations—The John A. Hartford Foundation, The SCAN Foundation, and West Health—hosted local roundtables with members of aging services networks, state and local government leaders, and other community groups.
We also have presented and listened to national organizations like the 68-member Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, and encouraged those professionals and the older adults they serve to help shape the national plan by completing a survey created by West Health. Additionally, West Health collaborated with Gallup to field a nationally representative survey to gather information from older adults about their needs and preferences in four “priority domains” identified in the Strategic Framework: coordinated housing and supportive services, aligned healthcare and supportive services, age-friendly communities, and long-term services and support access.
What’s Next?
The scope of the National Plan on Aging is big and bold.
It aims to identify solutions for removing barriers to good health for older adults and to provide innovative approaches to improving service delivery and community living opportunities. This is no small undertaking, and it’s why the ICC is seeking input at every level of government, in communities and with older adults.
Developing the National Plan on Aging represents a turning point in how the country approaches aging. The feedback gathered to inform it also will inform future initiatives and galvanize action, including the potential 2025 White House Conference on Aging where the president, Congress, state governors, tribal leaders, federal agencies, the aging services network and advocates meet to plan aging policy.
Help Wanted
The voices of older adults are critical to the National Plan on Aging’s success, and we all have a role in achieving its goals. Help spread the word about the National Plan on Aging, its vision and potential, with colleagues, your community, and most important, older adults, to ensure the plan stays top of mind and includes their input.
ACL will soon release a Community Engagement Toolkit to support partner-led and peer-to-peer discussions with older adults to help us reach more people.
Join us as we seek a more age-friendly society and stay informed on progress at https://acl.gov/ICC-Aging/Strategic-Framework.
For more on the National Plan on Aging, read: Creating the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging, March 12, 2024.
Kari Benson, MA, is the deputy assistant secretary for aging; Kelly Cronin, MS, is the deputy administrator for innovation and partnership; Jennifer Baker, MPH, is an advisor, and Adam Mosey, MPPM, is a special assistant, all at the Administration for Community Living. Amy Herr, MHS, is director of health policy at West Health and a member of ASA’s board of directors and its executive committee. Rani Snyder, MPA, is vice president, program, and a member of ASA’s board of directors and its executive committee, and Scott Bane, JD, MPA, is senior program officer, both at The John A. Hartford Foundation. Narda Ipakchi, MBA, is vice president of policy, and Erin Westphal, MS, is program officer, both at The SCAN Foundation.
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