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Aging Population Issues
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Brown ArrowAging Population Issues

This topic contains information related to those 65 and older, with a health services research focus.

Data, Tools & Statistics

  • AARP Surveys and Statistics - (AARP)  - This site houses national and state-based research on the needs, concerns, and interests of AARP members and the 50+ population as a whole.
  • Aging Statistics - (Administration on Aging (AOA) U.S.)  - People 65+ represented 12.4% of the population in the year 2000 but are expected to grow to be 19% of the population by 2030. This website brings together a wide variety of statistical information--Profile of Older Americans, AGing Integrated Database, Census Data & Population Estimates, Projected Future Growth of Older Population, Minority Aging, and Key Indicators of Well-Being.
  • Alzheimers.gov - (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S.)  - This website provides easy-to-understand information about dementia and links to resources in various communities.
  • American Geriatrics Society Geriatrics Workforce Policy Studies Center - (American Geriatrics Society (AGS) USA)  - The Geriatrics Workforce Policy Studies Center provides the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) with up-to-date and essential information concerning geriatrics, geriatrics training, the geriatrics workforce, and related healthcare delivery topics.
  • CMS Research, Statistics, Data & Systems - (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS))  - This site provides access to CMS computer data and systems; research studies and reports; statistics, series, and trends; and files for order.
  • Directory of Health Organizations images/pdf.gif icon - (National Library of Medicine (NLM) U.S.)  - This link provides access to a database containing location and descriptive information about a wide variety of information resources including organizations, research resources, projects, and databases concerned with health and biomedicine. Each record may contain information on the publications, holdings, and services provided.
  • e-Source: Behavioral and Social Science Research - (Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, NIH (OBSSR))  - This website provides access to 20 interactive chapters with authoritative answers to methodological questions on behavioral and social science research. With contributions from a team of international experts, this anthology provides the latest information on addressing emerging challenges in public health.
  • FastStats A-Z - (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics, CDC (NCHS))  - The FastStats site provides quick access to statistics on topics of public health importance and is organized alphabetically. Links are provided to publications that include the statistics presented, to sources of more data, and to related web pages.
  • Health & Aging Organizations Directory - (National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) USA)  - This searchable database lists more than 350 national health and aging organizations reviewed by NIA for relevance and accessibility.
  • Hospice Statistics & Research - (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) USA)  - This website provides access to statistics and research related to hospice and palliative care from the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization.
  • HSRR (Health Services and Sciences Research Resources) - (National Library of Medicine, National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology)  - HSRR is a searchable database of information about research datasets, instruments/indices and software. Users may examine and compare characteristics of some of the resources employed in Health Services Research, the Behavioral and Social Sciences and Public Health. The database includes brief descriptions of research resources and links to PubMed. It also includes URLs of providers for additional information or access to the resources. HSRR is not a repository of the actual resources.
  • Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Map - (Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI))  - This map is a free, open resource for those interested in sharing IHI's mission of improving health care. This includes access to various "How To Guides," for example, prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia; prevent surgical site infection; prevent adverse drug events, etc.
  • Kaiser Fast Facts - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US)  - This is a health policy resource featuring "QuickTakes" and "Kaiser Slides"- two tools providing direct access to facts, data and slides about the nation's health care system and programs.
  • National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) - (Administration on Aging (AOA) U.S.)  - The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center provides support, technical assistance and training to the 53 State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs and their statewide networks of almost 600 regional (local) programs. The Center's objectives are to enhance the skills, knowledge, and management capacity of the State programs to enable them to handle residents' complaints and represent resident interests (individual and systemic advocacy).
  • NIH SeniorHealth.gov - (National Institutes of Health (NIH))  - NIHSeniorHealth features authoritative and up-to-date health information from Institutes and Centers at NIH. In addition, the American Geriatrics Society provides expert and independent review of some of the material found on this Web site. Health topics include general background information, open-captioned videos, quizzes and frequently asked questions (FAQs). New topics are added to the site on a regular basis.
  • Nursing Home Compare - (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS))  - This tool has detailed information about every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country.
  • Raising Expectations - A State Scorecard - (AARP, Commonwealth Fund, Scan Foundation US)  - From this website, one can interact with data from Raising Expectations: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers. A map is available to view state-specific rankings and results compared to benchmarks. A tool is available to select performance indicators and states for comparison, and then generate customized, downloadable tables and bar charts.
  • The Silver Book® - (Alliance for Aging Research USA)  - A searchable database of more than 1,000 facts and figures about the aging population compiled and maintained by the Alliance for Aging Research.

Grants, Funding, and Fellowships

  • Administration on Aging Funding Opportunities - (Administration on Aging (AOA) U.S.)  - Each year, Congress appropriates funds for use by AoA and the other Federal Agencies in carrying out their mission. AoA provides grant funding to States and territories, recognized Native American Tribes and Hawaiian Americans, as well as nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and academic institutions. Individuals are not eligible to apply for AoA funding.

Guidelines, Journals, Other

  • Abuse and Neglect - National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform fact sheet.
  • Aging Today - (American Society on Aging (ASA))  - Bimonthly newspaper of the American Society on Aging.
  • Elderly Healthcare - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ))  - This site provices access to comparative effectiveness reviews, evidence reports, and Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS)reports on elderly healthcare.
  • Issue Briefs for Older Americans - (National Council on Aging (NCOA), Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA))  - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Administration on Aging (AoA) commissioned a series of Issue Briefs to address behavioral health issues that are important to older Americans. The Issue Briefs identify key information and opportunities for action that can improve the lives of older people. The first brief offers an overview of issues, facts, evidence-based programs and practices, partnering opportunities, financing and other resources.
  • MMRR - Medicare & Medicaid Research Review - (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS))  - Peer-reviewed, online journal reporting data and research that informs current and future directions of the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance programs. The journal seeks to examine and evaluate health care coverage, quality and access to care for beneficiaries, and payment for health services.
  • NIH SeniorHealth.gov - (National Institutes of Health (NIH))  - NIHSeniorHealth features authoritative and up-to-date health information from Institutes and Centers at NIH. In addition, the American Geriatrics Society provides expert and independent review of some of the material found on this Web site. Health topics include general background information, open-captioned videos, quizzes and frequently asked questions (FAQs). New topics are added to the site on a regular basis.
  • Research Findings - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ))  - A newsletter that summarizes research findings on long-term care.
  • Series on Dual Eligibles - (National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) US, Scan Foundation US)  - Produced by the National Senior Citizens Law Center with support from The SCAN Foundation, this series of four papers is designed to highlight pressing issues facing dual eligibles and provide recommendations to the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, state Medicaid agencies and other interested policymakers and stakeholders on how to address them.

Key Organizations/Programs

  • AARP - (AARP)  - Formerly American Association of Retired Persons. A non-profit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives. As noted on its website, since its inception in 1958, AARP has grown and changed dramatically in response to societal changes, while remaining true to its founding principles: to promote independence, dignity and purpose for older persons; to enhance the quality of life for older persons; to encourage older people; and, to serve, not to be served.
  • Administration for Community Living - (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S.)  - Created by DHHS on April 16, 2012, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) has the goal of increasing access to community supports and full participation, while focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities. The ACL will include the efforts and achievements of the Administration on Aging, the Office on Disability and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities in a single agency, with enhanced policy and program support for both cross-cutting initiatives and efforts focused on the unique needs of individual groups such as children with developmental disabilities, adults with physical disabilities, or seniors, including seniors with Alzheimer's.
  • Administration on Aging (AoA) - (Administration on Aging (AOA) U.S.)  - Part of DHHS, AoA's mission is to develop a comprehensive, coordinated and cost-effective system of home and community-based services that helps elderly individuals maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.
  • AGS Foundation for Health in Aging - (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging US)  - This Foundation is a national non-profit organization established in 1999 by The American Geriatrics Society. According to its website, its aim is to build a bridge between the research and practice of geriatrics and the public, and to advocate on behalf of older adults and their special health care needs.
  • AHRQ Long-Term Care - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ))  - This site links to issues, research in action, and study results.
  • Alliance for Aging Research - (Alliance for Aging Research USA)  - The private, not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research is a national citizen advocacy organization working to improve the lives of Americans as they grow older by advancing biomedical and behavioral research in aging and health.
  • American Geriatrics Society - (American Geriatrics Society (AGS) USA)  - Not-for-profit organization of over 6,700 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.
  • American Society on Aging - (American Society on Aging (ASA))  - Organization of multidisciplinary professionals in the field of aging; resources, publications, and educational opportunities are geared to enhance the knowledge and skills of people working with older adults and their families.
  • Center for Healthcare Strategies, Inc. - This is a non-profit health policy resource center dedicated to improving health care quality for low-income children, adults, people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, frail elders and racially and ethnically diverse populations experiencing disparities in care.
  • The Center for Social Gerontology, Inc. - (The Center for Social Gerontology, Inc. US)  - A non-profit research, training and social policy organization dedicated to promoting the individual autonomy of older persons and advancing their well-being in society. TCSG has pursued this goal through a wide variety of projects, including serving since 1985 as an Administration on Aging-funded National Support Center in Law & Aging.
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS))  - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CMS is the federal agency which administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Provides information for health professionals, regional governments, and consumers.
  • Commonwealth Fund - Long-Term Care - (Commonwealth Fund)  - Established in 1918 with the broad charge to enhance the common good, the mission of The Commonwealth Fund is to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children, and elderly adults. This site provides access to data, surveys and numerous publications.
  • Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation - An independent philanthropy focusing on the major health care issues, including comparative effectiveness research, facing the nation. The Foundation is an independent voice and source of facts analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the general public.
  • Institute of Medicine - Aging - (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM))  - The IOM examines the health care needs of our older population, including the size and strength of the workforce and research that will be necessary as this population grows. Access reports and activities from this website.
  • Leadership Council of Aging Organizations - (Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) USA)  - The LCAO is a consortium of 66 prominent national aging advocacy organizations that represents millions of older Americans to preserve and strengthen the well-being of America's older population.
  • LeadingAge - The LeadingAge community includes U.S. not-for-profit organizations, state partners, businesses, research partners, consumer organizations, foundations and a broad global network of aging services organizations that reach over 30 countries. The work of LeadingAge is focused on advocacy, leadership development, and applied research and promotion of effective services, home health, hospice, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care communities, nursing homes, as well as technology solutions, to seniors, children, and others with special needs.
  • Long-Term Care Interest Group - (AcademyHealth)  - The mission of the Long-Term Care Interest Group is to foster the development of the information base needed for policy and practice to meet the growing need for Long-Term Care.
  • National Alliance for Caregiving - (National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) US)  - The National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving. Alliance members include grassroots organizations, professional associations, service organizations, disease-specific organizations, a government agency, and corporations. The Alliance was created to conduct research, do policy analysis, develop national programs, increase public awareness of family caregiving issues, work to strengthen state and local caregiving coalitions, and represent the US caregiving community internationally.
  • National Association of Area Agencies on Aging - (National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) USA)  - Umbrella organization for the 655 area agencies on aging (AAAs) and more than 230 Title VI Native American aging programs in the U.S. Through its presence in Washington, D.C., n4a advocates on behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans.
  • National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities - (National Association of States United on Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) USA)  - This organization represents the nation's 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities and supports visionary state leadership, the advancement of state systems innovation and the articulation of national policies that support home and community based services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
  • National Center on Elder Abuse - (Administration on Aging (AOA) U.S.)  - Resource for policy makers, social service and health care practitioners, the justice system, researchers, advocates, and families.
  • National Council on Aging - (National Council on Aging (NCOA))  - This is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization that serves as a national voice for older Americans and the community organizations that serve them. NCOA brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults.
  • National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization - (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) USA)  - This is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.
  • National Indian Council on Aging - (National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) USA)  - National nonprofit advocates for improved, comprehensive health and social services to American Indian and Alaska Native Elders.
  • National Institute on Aging - (National Institute on Aging (NIA))  - The NIA has been at the forefront of the Nation's research activities dedicated to understanding the nature of aging, supporting the health and well being of older adults, and extending healthy, active years of life for more people. The website offers consumer-oriented information on a wide range of topics important to older people and their families. Scientists will find detailed information on areas of research interest and funding opportunities.
  • National Senior Citizens Law Center - (National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) US)  - NSCLC seeks to ensure that low-income older adults understand and have access to affordable health care benefits and medicine and that more people receive long term care at home. To achieve its objectives, NSCLC uses advocacy and litigation as well as provides education and counseling to local advocates who work with low-income older adults. This website provides information on topics such as dual eligibles, Medicaid/Medicare, health reform law, health disparities, etc.
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF))  - RWJF's mission is to improve the health and health care of all Americans.
  • Scan Foundation - (Scan Foundation US)  - The SCAN Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit charitable foundation dedicated to long-term services and supports that keep seniors self-sufficient, at home and in the community. As the only foundation with a mission focused exclusively on long-term care, The SCAN Foundation is taking action to develop and support programmatic and policy-oriented recommendations and solutions that address the needs of seniors and influence public policy to improve the current system.
  • United Health Foundation - Caregivers of Veterans - (National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) US, United Health Foundation)  - This United Health Foundation, in collaboration with the National Alliance for Caregiving, study looks at the family caregivers of our nation's veterans. This site provides links to other resources related to the elderly and veterans.

Legislation and Policy

  • AARP Law and Legal Issues - (AARP)  - This links to various sites and organizations providing information on the law and other legal issues related to individual aged 50 and over.
  • American Psychological Association - Aging - (American Psychological Association)  - APA government relations efforts utilize the science and practice of psychology to inform federal policy efforts related to older adults and their caregivers. Policy initiatives have focused on a range of issues impacting the aging population, including mental and behavioral health, integrated care, suicide, caregiving, elder abuse and trauma, emergency and disaster preparedness and response, long-term care, aging veterans and the health care workforce.
  • Federal Laws and Regulations - (National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) US)  - Maintained by NORC, this page provides access to federal and state laws/regulations relationed to aging issues. For example, the Older Americans Act and the Nursing Home Reform Law of 1987.
  • Health in Aging Advocacy Center - (Health in Aging Advocacy Center US)  - Provides legislative alerts and information regarding current aging issues as well as links to bills and their summaries.
  • National Senior Citizens Law Center - (National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) US)  - NSCLC seeks to ensure that low-income older adults understand and have access to affordable health care benefits and medicine and that more people receive long term care at home. To achieve its objectives, NSCLC uses advocacy and litigation as well as provides education and counseling to local advocates who work with low-income older adults. This website provides information on topics such as dual eligibles, Medicaid/Medicare, health reform law, health disparities, etc.
  • Policy and Research for Professionals in Aging - (AARP)  - Collection of research publications, speeches, legal briefs and opinion pieces seeks to provide deeper insight and fresh perspectives to opinion leaders, scholars and other professional audiences.
  • Public Policy in Senior Living - (Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) US)  - Assisted living is regulated at the state level and it is a vital role of the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) to advocate on behalf of senior living companies and the residents they serve. This website provides access to senior living public policy resources.
  • Series on Dual Eligibles - (National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) US, Scan Foundation US)  - Produced by the National Senior Citizens Law Center with support from The SCAN Foundation, this series of four papers is designed to highlight pressing issues facing dual eligibles and provide recommendations to the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, state Medicaid agencies and other interested policymakers and stakeholders on how to address them.