The Aging Report

The AgeGuide podcast is coming to your favorite streaming service this year. The Age Guide: Perspectives on the Aging Journey will launch in February 2022. As part of our mission to be a vital resource and advocate for people as we age, we hope to provide thoughtful conversations and meaningful connections through this podcast.  We’ll put a face on aging and give a voice to older adults and caregivers by highlighting their experiences and stories. We want to provide a window into the struggles and joys of aging to dispel myths and combat ageism. 

At AgeGuide, we use our role as advocates for older adults to promote and elevate policies and programs that support older adults and their caregivers and effectively address the needs of an aging America.

AgeGuide’s annual Advocacy Collaboratives continue this year with two virtual regional events. Every year we gather elected officials, aging network providers, local partners, and community members for an engaging discussion about current issues facing Illinois older adults, caregivers & families. This year, you can join us from the comfort of your own home! Grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage and boot up your laptop, computer, tablet or even your phone and let’s talk about what’s happening in aging. 

This new year brings new funding and that means new services from AgeGuide and our funded partners throughout our region. This article gives you the inside scoop on how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding is going to help all of us on our aging journey. We are grateful that legislators saw the importance of supporting older adults through this funding.

This investment recognizes the value of Older Americans Act (OAA) services and prioritizes the needs of older adults during the pandemic. AgeGuide received $10 million of multi-year ARPA funding for use in our eight-county region. This funding will allow for service expansion, enhancements, and program development to support wellbeing including nutrition, health, caregiver supports, and other critical services.

Detailed below is how we plan to utilize the ARPA funding to enhance and expand these priority services. 

On November 23, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) released an informational bulletin detailing the 2022 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) increase, and the increase in Spousal Impoverishment Standards.

On December 7, CMS released guidance allowing states to adopt higher effective income and resource eligibility standards for people who need home and community-based services (HCBS).

On November 4, CMS issued an interim final rule requiring COVID-19 vaccination of staff who work in all Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, Intermediate Care Facilities for People with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IIDs), Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs), home health agencies, and Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs).

On November 12, CMS issued new guidance on long-term-care facility visitation allowing indoor visitation for all residents at all times.

At AgeGuide, we love getting social! Stay up to date with the latest news, updates and learn more about AgeGuide and our work advocating for older adults and the services they need on our social media pages!