HHS Releases Strategic Framework for National Plan on Aging
(June 4, 2024) On May 30th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Administration for Community Living (ACL), released “Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging.”
The report establishes a foundation for a collaborative effort among the private and public sectors, older adults, family caregivers, the aging services network, and other stakeholders, and describes itself as “the initial step in the development of a national plan on aging to improve the experience of aging in America.” Its goal is to develop national recommendations for promoting healthy aging and creating age-friendly communities that genuinely value and include older adults. The national plan on aging will promote best practices for service delivery, foster partnerships within and across sectors, and identify solutions to remove barriers to health and independence for older adults.
It considers the many factors that influence the aging experience, as well as things all people need as they age, such as affordable and accessible housing; aligned health care and supportive services; accessible communities; age-friendly workplaces; and sufficient, high-quality long-term services and supports, both institutional and community-based care.
Four domains will guide the development of a national plan on aging, which will also allow ACL to benchmark progress in these areas:
- Age-Friendly Communities
- Coordinated Housing and Supportive Services
- Increased Access to Long-Term Services and Supports
- Aligned Health Care and Supportive Services
Developed by leaders and experts from 16 federal agencies and departments collaborating through the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities, the framework for a national plan also incorporates input from community partners and leaders in the aging services network.
On June 10th at 2 p.m. ET, ACL will host a public webinar to provide an overview of the Strategic Framework. Advance registration is required. LeadingAge National provided suggestions for the framework and will continue to work with the Administration to support and strengthen the plan.
Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871