BRIEF UPDATES

AARP Highlights Washington’s Adult Family Homes

The AARP highlighted Washington’s adult family homes in a recent report comparing adult family care around the country. The report highlights the various ways states have implemented these care settings and provides guidance for establishing or expanding this type of care.

“Washington and Oregon, which have long led the way in developing and promoting AFCs, provide a clear roadmap for using the regulatory process to encourage the growth and acceptance of AFC facilities,” the report reads. “A common thread in both states is the creation of targeted tools and resources for providers and consumers to address the financial complexities as well as the case management aspects of caring for those in need of LTSS.”

Washington and Oregon were the first states to establish adult family care options more than four decades ago. As the report highlights, Washington has since been a leader in demonstrating how this type of smaller residential setting can provide additional choice and independence to people who need long-term services and supports.

To read more about the report or download a PDF, visit the AARP website.

Latest Generations Journal issue focuses on home-and community-based services

The spring 2021 issue of the quarterly Generations Journal, published by the American Society on Aging, focuses on home- and community-based services. The issue features more than a dozen articles on topics ranging from the basics and practice of care management to future directions.

The issue’s focus comes at a time when home- and community-based services are receiving national attention, thanks to the Biden Administration’s push for solidifying the U.S. care economy by creating jobs and improving wages and benefits.

The issue is called As the World Turns: Care Management’s Continued Role in an Ever-Changing Delivery System. HCS Director Bea Rector and Region 2 Administrator Sonya Sanders contributed to the issue, co-writing an article on Care Management from a State’s Perspective.

Older Americans Month

Every May, we join with the Administration for Community Living to celebrate Older Americans Month, when we recognize the positive contributions that older Washingtonians have on our communities. This year, Governor Jay Inslee signed a proclamation honoring the state’s older residents and proclaiming May to be Older Americans Month in Washington.

This year’s theme was Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities. In tough times, communities find strength in people – and people find strength in their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again in Washington as friends, neighbors, and businesses have found new ways to support each other.

Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life – a conversation shared with a friend, working in the garden, trying a new recipe, or taking time for a cup of tea on a busy day. And when we share these activities with others – even virtually or by telling about the experience later – we help them build resilience too. The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences for many older adults, but one risk that goes underreported is that of social isolation. A recent University of Washington report described the coronavirus lockdowns as a “double pandemic” for older adults that contributes to depression and suicide risk and also often disrupts needed care.

ALTSA representatives have been serving on a Social Isolation Work Group along with representatives of other organizations and entities such as AARP and long-term care providers. The work group was launched to determine what has been working to fight loneliness and isolation and whether it can be replicated, both during the pandemic and after the crisis ends.

Read more about the work of the Social Isolation Work Group on the AARP website.