HHS Announces Grant Programs for Older Americans & Veterans

Maureen McAndrews — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:29:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced $36 million in new grant programs to 28 states to help older Americans and veterans remain independent and to support people with Alzheimer's disease to remain in their homes and communities. Just over $19 million of this funding involves a new collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt and VA Secretary James Peake, MD, announced the joint effort to provide essential consumer-directed home and community-based services to older Americans and veterans of all ages, as part of a Nursing Home Diversion (NHD) grants program. In addition, Leavitt announced a $17 million investment to improve the delivery of home- and community-based services to people with Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers.

In collaboration with the Veterans Health Administration, HHS' Administration on Aging will administer the new program. Under the program, $10.5 million is being provided by HHS through AoA, and $5.7 million by the states. VA estimates purchasing at least $3 million in veteran-directed home and community-based services for older veterans and for recently returned veterans with long-term care needs. The number of veterans over age 85 has tripled during the past decade, creating a significant expansion in the need for long-term care.

The $17 million for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers involves grants to 22 states under AoA's Alzheimer's disease demonstration programs. States were able to apply for two types of grants: Innovation Grants and Evidence-Based Program Grants. Innovation Grants will demonstrate new approaches to delivering services and supports, and the Evidence-Based Grants will support the replication of science-based interventions that have already proven to be effective at helping people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to continue to live in the community.

See funding information here.

Presidential Candidates Health Care Plans

Adkins-Ali Carrie — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:18:00 GMT

I recently heard a comment that when the Clintons tried to reform health care, it had an unforseen negative impact on nursing. Hospitals, my source noted, were laying off nurses because they did not think they were going to have enough money to pay them because of the cuts. Many nurses left the profession and others decided against nursing careers.

How do you think the presidential candidates stated plans will affect the industry? Which candidate's plan, of any, do you support?

ADVANCE Perspective: LTC : HCBS

HHS Announces Grant Programs for Older Americans & Veterans

Presidential Candidates Health Care Plans