HHS Expands Efforts to Help Individuals Make Informed Decisions
About Long-Term Care and Services

Grants to Help Promote Full Access to Community Life

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced more than $2 million in additional funding to 12 states to expand their efforts to establish single entry points for individuals and families to access long-term care services in their communities. The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) grants are part of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative and the Administration's continued efforts to bring transparency to health and long-term care so that consumers can make informed decisions about their care options.

“States have made excellent progress over the past four years to simplify access to long-term care for older individuals and adults with disabilities through the Aging and Disability Resource Center initiative,” Secretary Leavitt said. “By continuing to support these efforts, we strengthen our ability to assist older individuals and families when they need help the most.”

The 2006 reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) includes the modernization vision for long-term care proposed by the Administration to help ensure that older individuals have the information and tools they need to live longer, more independent and healthier lives. To carry out part of that directive, the OAA provides new authority for ADRCs to be established in all 50 States to help individuals make informed decisions and plan for their long-term care needs.

Since 2004, more than 125 areas in 43 states have received more than $42 million in support under the ADRC initiative, which is jointly administered by HHS' Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

“These resource centers have become visible and trusted places for information on long-term care options,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell . “Aging and Disability Resource Centers are helping individuals with disabilities of all ages learn about the full range of benefits -- both public and private. These centers have played a key role in helping persons access services provided under the Older Americans Act, prescription drug coverage and other preventive health benefits under Medicare.”

States are using ADRC funds to better coordinate and redesign their existing methods for providing seniors, younger people with disabilities, and family caregivers with relevant information and personalized assistance in accessing services such as home-delivered wheels, personal care, housekeeping, specialized transportation, assisted living services and nursing home care. The ADRCs are also working with hospitals and nursing homes to help consumers avoid unnecessary placement in institutional settings.

As of June 2007, roughly 22 percent of the U.S. population had access to ADRC services. Over half of the 43 states with ADRC grants have passed legislation, developed executive guidance and contributed state funds to enhance and expand ADRCs.

ADRC accomplishments include the following:

•   Creating Web-based resource directories which provide consumers and professionals easy access to information on the specific services available in their communities;

•   Streamlining access to public services by co-locating eligibility staff from different agencies in a single location;

•   Using technology to create online consumer decision tools, electronic Medicaid applications; and

•   Using portable technology to conduct data entry and scanning of documents thereby allowing staff to gather and submit service eligibility information from a consumer's home.

For more information on the ADRC grant program, go to http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aging_dis/aging_dis.asp

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news .

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging (AoA), works with a nationwide network of organizations and service providers to develop a comprehensive and cost-effective system of long-term care that helps elderly individuals maintain their independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information about the AoA, please contact: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, Washington, D.C. 20201, Phone (202) 401-4541.