The Obama Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services are both reinforcing the aging in place movement by launching the Community Living Administration, which supports the choices of American seniors receive assistive services in their homes or communities rather than needing to go to enter an institution.
“For too long, too many Americans have faced the impossible choice between moving to an institution or living at home without the long-term services and supports they need,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “The goal of the new Administration for Community Living will be to help people with disabilities and older Americans live productive, satisfying lives.”
The organization will bring together key HHS organizations and offices dedicated to improving the lives of those with functional needs
into a common, coordinated entity. The Administration for Community Living brings together the Administration on Aging, the Office on
Disability, and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities into a single agency supporting cross-cutting initiatives and efforts
focused on the needs of seniors and people with disabilities.
The goal is to increase access to community supports, including healthcare and the availability of appropriate housing, employment,
education, and social participation.
However, senior living industry trade group the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) has some concerns the new agency won’t serve seniors quite as efficiently as the Administration on Aging has to this point.
“Although ALFA supports the agency’s goal of increasing access to community supports and encouraging community options for seniors and the disabled, there are concerns over how current programs for seniors will be affected,” the organization said on its website. “Even though there is some overlap, the needs of seniors and younger disabled individuals are often different. ALFA will be closely monitoring this transition.”
Learn more at the Administration for Community Living’s website.
Written by Alyssa Gerace
