In this episode, we delve into how states are weaving dementia care into their MPAs. With a focus on early diagnosis, caregiver support, and cross-sector collaboration, this episode highlights innovative strategies that are helping states better support individuals living with dementia and their families. 

In this episode, we explore how states are integrating mental and behavioral health into their strategies for aging—addressing access, stigma, and the unique needs of older adults. From community-based supports to cross-sector collaborations, learn how mental health is being prioritized in planning for an age-friendly future.

The second episode explores the importance of data for developing, implementing, and refreshing MPAs. Listeners will learn about the challenges of finding good data and how a new tool developed by West Health, the National Aging Readiness Dashboard, is helping to address this challenge.

By 2030, older adults will outnumber children in the United States for the first time in history. That demographic shift will reshape our communities, systems, and priorities. The question is: how do we prepare? In this episode, we break down the Top 5 Things to Know About Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs)—statewide, cross-sector blueprints that align government, nonprofits, businesses, philanthropy, and advocates to make sure every American can age with dignity.

In the latest episode of the Leverage Podcast, we review the impactful events of Hill Day 2024. Joined by advocates from the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA), the focus was to raise awareness about the unique needs of Indigenous Elders. This episode covers the discussions about the importance of improving access to obesity care for this community and the steps taken during Hill Day to influence policy and drive change. Tune in for an insightful conversation on advocacy, healthcare, and the future of elder care in Indigenous communities.

Alan Gutterman recently launched the Older Person’s Rights Project to advance awareness of the challenges and opportunities inherent in our increased longevity. In this podcast, he speaks with Karl Pillemer, professor in the Department of Psychology and professor of Gerontology in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, about what motivates people to get involved in advocating for climate issues, overcoming ageism, being open to intergenerational activities, and rethinking approaches to bringing older adults into the fold.

Alan Gutterman, a long-term partner and senior counsel in law firms, recently launched the Older Person’s Rights Project to advance awareness of the challenges and opportunities inherent in our increased longevity. In this podcast he speaks with Mick Smyer, who runs Growing Greener, Climate Action for a Warming World, and was Guest Editor of a recent Generations Journal issue on Climate Change, about how older adults can become more involved in solutions around climate change issues, rather than, as we so often see in the news, being solely passive victims of its impacts.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) released the comprehensive 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers in September, with hundreds of actionable recommendations and tactics for federal and state agencies, communities, employers and families. Spend a few minutes with The John A. Hartford Foundation’s Vice President Rani Snyder, ASA Board Member and Health and Well-being Advisory Council co-chair, as she talks with ASA’s Leanne Clark-Shirley about the strategy, how it came to life and why it’s important for you to weigh in.

2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers & Call to Action  https://acl.gov/CaregiverStrategy  

Submit comments to the national strategy here: https://acl.gov/CaregiverStrategy/Comments  

Loneliness affects more than one-third of adults, and as we age, experiencing loneliness can increase our risk of adverse emotional and physical health outcomes. Programmatic interventions to decrease loneliness and isolation are growing, but what policy solutions are there to tackle this problem? Daneen Sekoni from the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness joins ASA’s Leanne Clark-Shirley to frame loneliness as a policy issue and talk about about the importance of building a comprehensive, coordinated public/private strategy that supports social connectedness for older Americans.

To learn more:

• CESIL’s Virtual Advocacy Day: https://www.endsocialisolation.org/virtual-advocacy-day
• Generations Journal - Come Together: Preventing Social Isolation and Loneliness https://generations.asaging.org/fall-2020
• Foundation for Social Connection: https://www.social-connection.org/
• Far From Alone: https://farfromalone.com/
• Senior Healthy Living Survey by Silver Sneakers https://www.tivityhealth.com/senior-healthy-living-survey/recent-survey-results/

CMS guidance includes behavioral health services as a key component of fully integrated models of MLTSS. How do MLTSS programs structure integrated models and how should they? Hear from Alice Dembner, Community Catalyst, and Jennifer Raymond, AgeSpan as they talk about the importance of behavioral health and highlight successes in Massachusetts.

The Older Americans Act is the foundation of our aging network. In this episode of Leverage, we take a closer look at its history and promises for the future. Richard Browdie, Guest Editor of Winter 2021-22 Generations Journal: The Older Americans Act, interviews Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging. Listen as Mr. Walker reflects on the achievements of OAA, interactions with Congress, and how prepared we really are for our aging society.

Peter Kaldes and Leanne Clark-Shirley talk with Sara Kessel and Justin Hong, two ASA interns from Tufts University who have been researching climate change policy. Then, Peter gives a quick update on ASA’s new legislative tracker, which members can access here.

President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal into law. It has historic investments in roads, bridges, and other physical infrastructure improvements. But this new signed legislation also focuses on one of ASA’s policy priorities, bridging the digital divide, as it invests $65B into affordable broadband, ensuring every American can participate in the modern economy. Our guests discuss what’s in the new law, how it is being implemented, and how older adults stand to benefit.

Read more at:
https://www.benton.org/blog/when-do-we-get-our-broadband
https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2021/infrastructure-for-older-americans.html

When it comes to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, or ARPA, most people are familiar with the COVID-19 vaccination program, stimulus checks, and unemployment insurance provisions. But there are also significant resources to support older people who want to live in the community. Dr. Maddy Shea and Aaron Tripp from Health Management Associates talk with ASA's Leanne Clark-Shirley about these resources and how states and localities can take advantage of them.

The Well-Being Insurance for Seniors to be at Home (WISH) Act was introduced in early July by Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) to create a new federal Long-Term Care Insurance Trust Fund that would pay for the “catastrophic” period of long-term care for those who need many years of it. In this episode of Leverage, Josephine (Josie) Kalipeni, Deputy Director of Family Values @ Work talks with ASA’s Peter Kaldes about the opportunities and limitations of the WISH Act, and how we should advocate for equitable approaches in long-term care planning and payment.

Hosted by:
Peter Kaldes, President & CEO, American Society on Aging
Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD, Vice President of Programs & Thought Leadership, American Society on Aging

Guest:
Josie Kalipeni, Deputy Director Family Values @ Work in partnership with Labor Project 

The Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2021 was introduced in the House and Senate on August 9. This bill would channel funding to existing and new elder justice initiatives including long-term care workforce, Adult Protective Services and programs to address social isolation. On this episode of LeverAGE, ASA's Leanne Clark-Shirley talks with Bob Blancato and Meredith Ponder Whitmire, both of Matz Blancato & Associates, about this bill, likely next steps and how ASA members can get involved. 

10 states in the US have authorized Medical Aid in Dying legislation, and several more are have introduced it. On this episode of Leverage, Kim Callinan of Compassion + Choices and Dr. Chandana Banerjee of City of Hope talk with ASA’s Leanne Clark-Shirley about what Medical Aid in Dying means, how they see it as part of the continuum of care for people at end of life, and what providers and patients alike should know.

Hosted by: Leanne Clark Shirley, PhD, Vice President, Programs & Thought Leadership at ASA

Guests:
Kim Callinan, President and CEO, Compassion & Choices
Dr. Chandana Banerjee, Department of Supportive Care Medicine, City of Hope 

Resources:

• Event: City of Hope End of Life Symposium 
• Understanding Medical Aid in Dying
• In Your State 
• End-of-Life Information Packets

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias impact more than 6 million families, with 15 million projected to be affected by 2050. Although we’re learning that it is possible to reduce the risk of dementia and slow the rate of cognitive decline, we do not yet have a national effort focused on prevention. Kelly O’Brien from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and Dr. David Hoffman of Maria College and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors talk about why we need a national dementia prevention goal, and how public-private partnerships can advance the fight against Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Hosted by: Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD, Vice President, Programs & Thought Leadership at the American Society on Aging with Peter Kaldes, President & CEO of the American Society on Aging

Guests:

• Kelly O’Brien, Executive Director, Brain Health Partnership, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s
• David Hoffman, DPS, CCE, Associate Dean for Academic Initiatives and Government Affairs, Maria College, additional faculty appointments with Alden March Bioethics Institute at Albany Medical College and University at Albany School of Public Health and Associate at Large Director, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors

Resources:

• A Shared National Goal to Reduce Dementia Prevalence 
• Call for a National Dementia Prevention Goal
• Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission 
• Public members of the advisory council on Alzheimer's research, care and services: 2020 recommendations

A large share of healthcare costs results from unplanned hospitalizations, many of which happen as a result of chronic diseases among older patients. But acute care doesn’t necessarily need to happen in the hospital. Innovative models are successfully responding to unplanned acute health episodes among older people, and interrupting care trajectories that typically lead to hospitalizations.

This LeverAGE episode covers initiatives like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new Acute Hospital Care at Home program, and West Health’s collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to develop innovative responses to older adults’ unplanned acute health events. These innovative models not only address costs, but also can improve health outcomes.

Host: Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD, Vice President, Programs & Thought Leadership, American Society on Aging

Guests:

• Bruce Leff, MD, is professor of Medicine and director of The Center for Transformative Geriatric Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, bleff@jhmi.edu
• Amy Stuck, PhD, RN, is senior director of Value-Based Acute Care at the West Health Institute in San Diego. Contact, arstuck@westhealth.org

This episode was sponsored by West Health Policy Center

Resources:

• Generations Journal Vol. 43, Supplement 1, “Older Adults and America's Healthcare Cost Crisis” 
• The Hospital at Home Users Group
• Technical Assistance Center 
• West Health - Home and Community-Based Acute Care 
• Improved Cost and Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries Dispositioned From the ED to Receive Home Health Care Compared With Inpatient Hospitalization 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telehealth and virtual care was growing, slowly. But since last March, telehealth use has skyrocketed as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quickly expanded access to telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries, and many private insurers followed suit. Healthcare organizations that had already adopted value-based care models were able to pivot to telehealth more quickly. In this episode of LeverAGE, ASA talks with a panel of experts about why that’s the case, how the use of virtual care has grown among older patients, what barriers still exist and what healthcare leaders and policymakers should do to remove those barriers and encourage growth in a sustainable way.

Host: Leanne Clark Shirley, PhD, Vice President, Programs & Thought Leadership, American Society on Aging

Guests:

•  Amy Herr, MHS, Director of Health Policy, West Health Policy Center, aherr@westhealth.org
• Michael Kurliand, Director of Telehealth, West Health Institute, mkurliand@westhealth.org 
• Jennifer DeYoung, Director of Policy, Building Blocks of Health Reform, United States of Care, jdeyoung@usofcare.org 

This episode was sponsored by West Health Policy Center

Resources:

• West Health is a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable successful aging. Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health includes the Gary and Mary West Foundation and the Gary and Mary West Health Institute in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, DC. 
• United States of Care is a nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare. The organization aims to drive a unique cross-sector, people-centered approach to prioritizing, creating and advancing state and federal policies that meet the needs of people and result in a more equitable healthcare system.
• Playbook—Older Adults’ Experience of Virtual Care: Action Steps to Increase Access and Equity 
• Gary and Mary West PACE
• Avera eCARE Senior Care
• Landmark Health

Prescription drug prices are at unprecedented levels. There is a huge human impact to not being able to afford medications: according to a new study by West Health, over 1.1 million people insured by Medicare could die over the next decade because they cannot afford their prescription medications. For some time, drug spending in Medicare Parts D and B has grown faster than overall Medicare spending. Rather than negotiate drug prices itself, Medicare allows private insurers to negotiate prices on its behalf for pharmacy drugs under the Medicare Part D program. For drugs administered by physicians under the Medicare Part B program, Medicare currently pays whatever manufacturers charge, with no negotiation at all. This episode covers how negotiation rules could better serve patients and taxpayers, and what policy strategies might help drive costs down.

Host: Leanne Clark Shirley, PhD, Vice President, Programs & Thought Leadership, American Society on Aging

Guest: Ameet Sarpatwari, PhD, JD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Assistant Director of the Program On Regulation, Therapeutics, And Law (PORTAL) within the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. ASARPATWARI@BWH.HARVARD.EDU

This episode was sponsored by West Health Policy Center

Resources

• Generations Supplement Article: A Modest Proposal: Negotiate Medicare Drug Prices
• High Drug Prices and Patient Costs: Millions of Lives and Billions of Dollars Lost 
• Competition and price among brand-name drugs in the same class: A systematic review of the evidence 
• H.R. 3 Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act 

High healthcare costs, social isolation, loneliness, food insecurity, malnutrition and issues related to housing have impacted older people for decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made these issues even worse. In this episode of LeverAGE, we explore America’s healthcare cost crisis, and common-sense ways to lower costs and enhance care for all Americans as we age. We also cover the latest developments in California’s statewide effort to build a Master Plan for Aging, a 10-year blueprint that will help guide state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropies to build environments that promote healthy aging. California is among the first in a handful of states to build a plan in response to our society’s aging, following a process that can serve as a model for other states and the federal government to follow.

Host: Peter Kaldes, CEO of the American Society on Aging

Guests:

• Shelley Lyford is President and Chief Executive Officer of West Health, Gary and Mary West Foundation, and West Health Institute; and Board Director of Gary and Mary West Foundation.
• Timothy A. Lash, MBA, is Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of West Health; President of West Health Policy Center; CEO and President of Gary and Mary West PACE; and Board Director of Gary and Mary West Foundation. 

This episode was sponsored by West Health Policy Center

Resources

• Generations | Winter 2019-20 | Older Adults and America's Healthcare Cost Crisis
• New COVID-19 Vaccine Site for Vulnerable Seniors at West PACE in San Marcos
• Inside California’s New Master Plan for Aging: An Opportunity for Reimagining and Reform

ASA Public Policy Committee co-chairs Paul Downey and Amy Herr host this episode of LeverAGE, talking with guests Michael Adams, Rebecca Morgan and Joyce L. Walker about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and ageism in the political world.

Hosts:
Paul Downey, President and CEO, Serving Seniors and ASA board member
Amy Herr, Director, Health Policy, West Health and ASA board member

Guests: 
Michael Adams, CEO of SAGE and Chair of ASA's Board of Directors; Rebecca Morgan, Boston Asset Management Chair in Elder Law, Stetson University School of Law and ASA board members; and Joyce L Walker Vice President of Community Development at PK Management LLC and ASA board member.

Please note: This episode was recorded in December 2020

Host and ASA CEO, Peter Kaldes, is joined on LeverAGE by Nkenge Harmon Johnson, the President and CEO of the Urban League of Portland, Oregon. The mission of  Urban League of Portland is to empower African-Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life.

The Urban League of Portland's adult and senior services program is the only one in the state focused on providing services for older African Americans and is the only Urban League chapter in the nation to host a senior activity center where elders can visit Monday-Friday (pre-COVID). ULPDX continues to provide services and supports remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peter and Nkenge discuss her work at the Portland chapter of the Urban League and how they continued to support their community during both COVID-19 and the recent Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, as well as the federal response.

Mentioned in this episode:
Planning an Inclusive Car March

In this episode of LeverAGE, host Peter Kaldes, President & CEO of ASA, is joined by Dr. Leanne Clark-Shirley, Vice President of Thought Leadership at ASA, and Michael Adams, CEO of SAGE and Chair of ASA's Board of Directors, to discuss the Senate Confirmation Hearing for Supreme Court Nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. They address potential issues and cases the Supreme Court will hear in the coming weeks and months, and the impact of their decisions on older Americans.

Peter then interviews Bill Rivera, Senior Vice President for Litigation at AARP Foundation, about what's at stake in the Supreme Court for older adults and what Barrett's nomination might mean for older adults.  Rivera and his team at AARP Foundation recently published The Supreme Court 2020: What’s at Stake for Older Adults in America; A Preview of the 2020 Term. Peter and Bill explore a few of the cases that will be on the Supreme Court docket.

ASA recently shared Five questions to ask the Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Generations Now.