White House Conference on Aging 2015: What Might It Look Like?

White House Conference on Aging 2015: What Might It Look Like? History Possible Discussion Public-Private Process Likely (hoped for) Outcomes

History of WHCOAs The first Conference was held in January 1961 at the directive of Congress, which established it in legislation enacted in 1958 (Public Law 85-908). Then-Senate Aging Committee chair Sen. Pat McNamara dedicated the convening Conference to “bringing to national attention the problems, potentials – and challenges – of an aging population.” Many recommendations focused on the health and income status of older adults.

History of WHCOAs, cont. Medicare, Medicaid, Older Americans Act signed into law in summer of 1965; 50th anniversaries are in July 2015. Subsequent WHCOAs have resulted in adoption of signature initiatives: Supplemental Social Security Insurance program; National Institute on Aging; National Family Caregiver Support Program; ADRCs; Elder Justice Act.

Challenges and Opportunities: BIG Picture Questions Seventy percent of Americans who live into old age will need not only good health care, but some assistance in the form of long-term services and supports. As our population of older adults doubles – and the cohort of 85+ grows more -- what are some of the most innovative parts of the country doing to maximize efficiency and bolster services/supports in a practical manner? How can we use these examples to plan for the demographic shift just ahead, improve policy, and create workable strategies?

Challenges and Opportunities: BIG Picture Questions (2) Traditional retirement at 65 may not be the norm for many during the 21st century. For those who want to – or need to -- continue to work, what are the best strategies for thinking through options? Older adults in 21st century America are ethnically, racially and culturally diverse. Looking ahead, how might this affect the organization and delivery of health and aging services to better match varying needs and preferences? Are there any lessons we can learn from countries where the average age is higher than it is in the U.S.?

Possible WHCOA Policy Discussion “Tracks” Planning, access and promising initiatives for addressing the dilemma of long-term care The role of states and communities in building and delivering HCBS services Diversity Caregiving Workforce: what are the core training and growth needs? Older adults with disabilities: what the top priorities for action?

Possible WHCOA Policy Discussion “Tracks” (2) Role of research in improving the care of frail elders and individuals with functional limitations Income security post-65 and staying connected to community life Technology and the age wave Innovative ideas that emerge from local/regional meetings

Public-Private Process Local/regional events in run up to a national conference (2014, early 2015); sponsors could include local, state and national organizations Events would be in-person with participation and subsequent viewing online Each local/regional event would focus on at least a few policy tracks. Event sponsor summarize the central ideas and forward them to WHOCA executive director.

Public-Private Process (2) Executive director works with a national panel of experts to synthesize ideas and solutions from local/regional events – creating a blueprint for a national conference in D.C. in 2015 Date for national conference TBD but perhaps in July, when the 50th anniversaries of Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act occur Intention is that President would attend

Outcomes? Final report to Administration and Congress and widely available online Public preferences, priorities clearer. If everything is important, nothing is important. Policy rec’s could be geared to action by policymakers at community, state, national level Ongoing discussion in traditional/social media and at conferences, annual meetings of key group membership groups. Hope for administrative and legislative initiatives

Likely (hoped for) Outcomes (2) For example: federal executive orders (or other administrative initiatives) could aim to make transportation options for older adults and individuals with disabilities more widely available and reliable Hope for parallel state and local actions aimed at advancing a positive agenda for the creation of multi-generational communities. More models of health care and coordinated support services for older adults and individuals with disabilities

Current State of Play Administration is aware of the opportunity Funding requested in the FY2015 budget Executive Director and White House have important decisions to make about structure/process Many stakeholders are engaged We hope that the Academy can contribute to the discussion; we also hope that Academy members can participate in their home communities, by providing expertise to engaged state and local groups.

Big Picture Part 2 • An opportunity to get LTC financing back on federal policy agenda. Build on current discussions around a hybrid solution. • Four major challenges: • Getting people to allocate resources in advance – either privately or publicly – for heir possible LTC needs? • Need to show Medicaid savings (as program currently structured) • Incentives must be aimed at new buyers of LTCI. • Need mass participation.

Your Turn What do you think are the big questions that should be taken up at local and state level? For LTC, how are middle class individuals thinking about retirement security? What kind of planning is possible? What policies can facilitate that? For LTC, how can various levels of govt work with employers to maximize education efforts about the need for LTC planning during the working years, taking into account different age groups? What are the policy implications? What other issues would you want to see discussed?

White House Conference on Aging 2015: What Might It Look Like?