Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities

[1 May 2008 - U.S. Administration on Aging eNews] Older Americans Month Message from Josefina G. Carbonell ... We celebrate older Americans and their families by praising their contributions to our country. We also celebrate and express our gratitude to the countless number of dedicated health and human service professionals, scientists and volunteers that work with or on behalf of elders in communities across the country every day.

As a nation we are beginning to experience in "real time" the aging of our population with the first wave of Baby Boomers beginning to turn 65 now and building the ranks of the 78 million Baby Boomers into the future. We have a unique opportunity to address these changing demographics and some of the solutions are right in front of us.

We need to listen to what older consumers and their families are telling us. We know that the overwhelming preference of the American people is to remain at home for as long as possible and to have the ability to choose where they live as they age. Making long-term care more person-centered and more responsive to the needs and preferences of the individual consumer has been at the top of my agenda. Together with our aging network, we have developed a strategy to advance meaningful and important changes in health and long-term care, while reducing fiscal pressures on our nation and embedded those principles in the reauthorized Older Americans Act (OAA).

The national aging services network, comprised of State, tribal and area agencies on aging, as well as thousands of community service providers, caregivers and volunteers, know this and have used the OAA as a foundation for building community-based long term care supports that appeal to the unique needs and preferences of older Americans. But there is still more that needs to be done.

In fulfilling the President's commitment to providing Americans enhanced consumer choice and the freedom to live independently; AoA together with our U.S. Department of Health and Human Services colleagues have been working hard to develop initiatives advancing consumer education, wellness and nursing home diversion.

I am so pleased that States, area agencies on aging and other community-based organizations are leading the way by developing integrated strategies that are cost effectively keeping people in their homes and communities where they will want to be. These critical building blocks include the establishment of single points of entry for consumers to learn about and access existing long-term care options and support services in the community; the development of evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion tools and programs to reduce the risk of chronic disease and disability; and providing more options and choices to help people remain at home through an array of home-based care supports that promote independence and dignity for those who are at high risk of nursing home placement. We need to build upon and improve the quality of the core programs under the OAA and the successes of the aging network and work together to strengthen the home and community-based care services infrastructure that is already in place across our country. It is absolutely critical that we move quickly to give consumers better choices and control as well as encourage and promote the principles of local flexibility and accountability.

I am very excited about what the future holds. I am confident that this aging network will continue to carry out its mandate for older Americans and will continue to keeps its sights on the needs and preferences of the citizens we are entrusted to serve.

We urge people of all ages to celebrate Older Americans Month. Ensure that every older person in this great country is treated with dignity and respect to enjoy a healthy and rewarding future. Discuss with your own family and friends your long term aspirations. States and area agencies should celebrate the richness of your elder population. Encourage the public and private sectors to invest in market-based approaches to meet the needs of the graying consumers. Continue to expand coalitions and partnerships to strengthen your community's response to the Aging of America.