Last week, I attended an event titled Making the Difference: Taking Stock of the Aging Policy Landscape, where a range of speakers shared key insights about the future of aging policy and the increasing need for affordable care options for older adults.
Indeed, the senior care landscape is shifting rapidly. Speakers and panels highlighted the issues that are likely to shape aging policy in the coming years and the vital role that affordable, accessible care plays in supporting older adults and their families to age in place with dignity.
Justice in Aging: A Vision for Aging in America
Justice in Aging, a leading national organization dedicated to fighting senior poverty, envisions a future where all older adults can age with dignity, free from the worry about healthcare, food security, and housing. This vision extends beyond economic status, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, can access the resources and services they need to thrive as they grow older.
Keynote speaker and Executive Director of Justice in Aging, Kevin Prindiville, outlined four key areas of advocacy and action for the audience, and emphasized how achieving this vision will take deep collaboration between policymakers, advocates, and care providers.
Four Key Areas for Advocacy and Action
1. Protecting Health and Long-Term Care Access
Medicare and Medicaid are essential for millions of older adults, with 67 million people enrolled in Medicare and 12.5 million in both Medicare and Medicaid. These programs provide crucial healthcare and long-term care services that help older adults remain independent in their communities.
Prindiville stressed the importance of safeguarding these programs against cuts and outlined how proposals to reduce funding or limit access to services could have devastating impacts. He stressed that advocates, policymakers, and care providers must work together to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid remain strong and accessible for those who need them the most.
2. Strengthening Social Security and SSI
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are lifelines for millions of older adults, lifting over 16.5 million out of poverty. However, discussions highlighted the constant threats these programs are under from proposals that would cut benefits or reduce eligibility. For many seniors, these programs are essential to their financial stability.
In addition to protecting these programs from harmful cuts, Justice in Aging noted that there is an urgent need to address outdated SSI rules — which have not changed in 30 years. These rules exclude many of the people they are meant to help, particularly those in the greatest need.
3. Addressing Senior Homelessness
Homelessness among older adults is on the rise, with nearly one in three older renter households paying more than half of their income on rent. This financial strain leaves many older adults vulnerable to homelessness, particularly if they face unexpected medical bills or other financial hardships.
Affordable housing solutions are critical to addressing this issue. Beyond the need for financial support, Prindiville emphasized the critical need for affordable housing solutions and community-based services to ensure that older adults can live independently and securely as they age.
4. Ensuring Dignity and Justice in Aging
Older adults deserve to age with dignity and respect, free from discrimination, abuse, or neglect. There have been significant steps forward in protecting older adults from discrimination in healthcare and housing, such as the Health Care Rights Rule and the Nondiscrimination in Health Care on the Basis of Disability Rule.
However, Prindiville warned that these protections are under threat, and advocates must remain vigilant to ensure that older adults continue to receive the care and respect they deserve.
The Growing Demand for Affordable Senior Care
Much of the event focused on the need for affordable, accessible senior care, which—with an aging population—is more urgent than ever. Nearly half of older adults living alone struggle to cover basic expenses like food, rent, and healthcare. The need for cost-effective care solutions is growing, and traditional residential care models are not always the best or most affordable option.
At the forefront of addressing this need is in-home care, which offers an alternative to institutional care. By supporting seniors in aging in place, in-home care can provide a more personalized and cost-effective solution, allowing older adults to remain in their homes and communities while receiving the care they need—which, itself, has been linked to higher quality of life.
Looking Ahead: Building the Future of Senior Care
As we navigate the evolving landscape of aging policy, it's clear that collaboration between policymakers, advocacy groups, and care providers like Clara is essential. We must work together to protect and improve programs that support older adults, ensuring they have access to safe housing, quality healthcare, and compassionate long-term care.
At Clara, we're committed to being part of the solution. Our approach to in-home care not only addresses the immediate needs of seniors, but also aligns with the broader goals of creating a more affordable and less complex system of care for older adults.
Clara is here to support you and your loved ones on the journey of aging. Our dedicated team is ready to provide personalized, affordable care solutions that enable seniors to age with dignity in their own homes.
To learn about how Clara can help you navigate the challenges of senior care, read more or chat with us today.
