Remarks of the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging
“Administration on Aging Initiatives” U.S. Senator Larry Craig’s Health Care Conference - February 17, 2004

Good morning everyone.

Before I begin, I want to acknowledge my gracious hosts, Senator Craig and Governor Kempthorne. (Center for the New West)

Senator Craig is a champion of the needs of older Americans and family caregivers, and I thank you for all of the valuable work you’ve done through the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Governor Kempthorne has been a leader in long-term care and health promotion, both as Governor and as Chair of the National Governor’s Association. We share the same vision, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with the NGA on long-term care issues.

There must be something in the water here, because Idahoans are well represented by these two extraordinary individuals!
I also want to thank Doug Badger and Bill Novelli for providing their insights on the major health issues facing our society today and the very positive step this Administration has made in modernizing Medicare.

Introduction

The Administration on Aging and the Aging Services Network are the largest providers of home and community-based care services in the country.

We serve older Americans over 60 and their caregivers, regardless of income. In my view, this is the best feature of our programs, as it allows us to serve baby boomers, their aging parents, and their children, who one day will be caregivers.

Seven years from now the first of the baby boomers will begin turning 65.

The number of Americans age 65 and older will more than double to over 70 million by 2030. At that point, the entire country will have the concentration of older people now found in my home State of Florida.

The Administration’s initiatives all focus on creating meaningful choices and opportunities for older Americans to live independent and productive lives throughout their senior years.

New Freedom Initiative

Through the President’s New Freedom Initiative, agencies throughout HHS and across the Federal Government are working to break down the barriers to independent living and community participation for people with disabilities of all ages, including older adults.

This was one of the first actions President Bush took upon taking office, and it reflects his personal commitment to fulfill the dream of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law by his father.

This bold initiative builds on past successes, and encompasses all aspects of community living for people with disabilities – including employment, education, housing, transportation, assistive technology, and the whole range of home and community-based services that are essential to maintaining independent living.

A cross-cutting principle underlying the New Freedom Initiative is the ability to provide long-term services and supports to individuals in a way that allows them maximum choice and control over how, when, and from whom they receive this assistance.

Our system of long-term care should really be a community of care – at the center of which is the person. It should include traditional long-term care services, as well as home care, adult day care, and skilled nursing care.

As individuals, communities and the private sector prepared for the baby boomers, the community must also include transportation, housing, employment supports, assistive technology, and health services.

The community of care should be made up of a flexible, but coordinated array of supports that let you choose how to receive long-term care.

I believe that if we continue to focus on the person – and serving the whole person – we cannot go wrong.

Key LTC Systems Change Tools

Over the last 2 ½ years, the Administration on Aging and our HHS partners have provided states with a variety of tools to help them create more opportunities for community living, and more balanced systems of long-term care.

These tools include the National Family Caregiver Support Program, the Real Choice Systems Change grants, the Independence Plus Medicaid Waiver Program, the Aging and Disability Resource Center Grants, and a special initiative to improve transportation services.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program

The National Family Caregiver Support Program was launched by the Secretary in 2001. It recognizes that family caregivers constitute the largest – and most important – part of our long-term care workforce.

The program provides critical support to families, friends and neighbors who are providing care for their loved ones, including spouses, parents and even grandchildren. This program provides the help and relief that caregivers need to care for their loved ones at home.

In FY 2002 alone, AoA and the Idaho Aging Network have reached out to 11,000 caregivers, and provided counseling, training, respite and other necessary services, such as Adult Day Care in rural communities.

Real Choice Systems Change Grants

The Real Choice Systems Change Grants Program – administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – was also launched in 2001.

This investment supports state efforts to make system changes that result in more community options for people with disabilities of all ages.

All states have received at least one grant, which means that people everywhere, including Idaho, have more opportunities to receive long-term care at home.

Aging & Disability Resource Center Grants

Joint initiative of AoA and CMS to help states set up “one stop shop” entry points to long-term care.

The Resource Centers are designed to serve as visible and trusted places where people can turn for information on the full range of long-term support options, as well as assistance in accessing those options.

This program will make it easier for you to lean about and access the services you need to remain independence and in your own homes.

AoA and Federal Transit Administration – working to improve coordinated transportation services.

Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration
Lastly, I want to call your attention to an item in the President’s budget. It is a five-year demonstration that would finance services for individuals who transition from institutions to the community. This program would also direct more Medicaid funds to help people remain in the community.

Closing

In closing, I want to thank Senator Craig again for this opportunity to speak with you today.

I am excited about all of the initiatives that we have underway within the Department and look forward to working with all of you to continue to move the community care agenda forward.

Disclaimer: This text is the basis of the oral remarks of the Assistant Secretary for Aging. It should be used with the understanding that some material may be added or omitted.