Final Rule Strengthens Social Needs Programs for Seniors Aging in Place

McKnight’s Home Care | By Adam Healy
 
The Administration for Community Living on Tuesday released a final rule affecting the Older Americans Act (OAA) — the first significant change to the act in more than 35 years.

Among various updates, ACL’s rule specifies what people are eligible for assistance under the OAA, clarifies how federal funds can be used to provide supportive services, and spells out requirements for state and local programs helping older adults aging in place. There have been small modifications to the act in recent years, but this week’s final rule marks the first major changes to the OAA since 1988, according to the ACL.
 
“Updates are needed to align regulations to the current statute and reflect the needs of today’s older adults,” ACL wrote in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in June 2023. “[The rule] aims to better support the national aging network that delivers OAA services and improve program implementation, with the ultimate goal of better serving older adults.”
Also since 1988, the population of older adults in the United States has nearly doubled, seniors on average are living longer and expectations for aging have changed, according to ACL. The provisions finalized in the rule aim to reflect these changing standards and provide more comprehensive care for aging adults. Its ultimate goal, ACL noted, is helping seniors receive services and support to live at home and in their communities as they age.
 
“The overwhelming majority of Americans want to live in their own homes as they age … For many, this is possible because of the programs and services provided through the Older Americans Act,” Alison Barkoff, ACL administrator and the assistant secretary for aging, said in a statement. “The updated regulations strengthen the stability and sustainability of these programs.”
 
Some services provided by OAA programs include rides to medical appointments, nutritious meals, in-home care and support to family caregivers, according to Barkoff.
The final rule also solidifies flexibilities put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic that promoted aging in place. For example, the rule now allows some meal programs to offer carry-out meals for seniors.
 
In 2022, USAging, the national association that supports area agencies on aging called for OAA expansion. Meanwhile, workforce-challenged aging service providers — including home care agencies — struggle with a lack of resources to serve the growing number of older adults in need.
 
The rule has been filed in the Federal Register and is scheduled for publication on Feb. 14.