As an organization with a mission of making aging well possible for everyone, NCOA constantly advocates for older adults. In fact, during the 2024 Age+Action conference, our group of over 200 advocates spoke with their lawmakers about the issues they see firsthand working in aging services and what policy changes would help. 

Now, healthy aging advocates and professionals alike may be wondering what’s next, and how the federal government plans to take action in the coming years. According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), there is much to be done—and a lot of collaboration will be required. 

On May 30, 2024, ACL released a new report, “Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging.” Experts from 16 different federal agencies contributed to the report, creating a roadmap for how to collectively promote healthy aging for all, improve the experience of aging in the United States, and ensure older adults are treated with the respect they deserve in society. 

NCOA has applauded the development of this Strategic Framework and its boldness in declaring aging well a nationwide priority. The report calls for increased collaboration and coordination between organizations across all sectors to address issues facing older adults head on, from fighting against age-related discrimination in the workplace, to increasing access to money-saving benefits, to improving the health care navigation experience. 

“It’s essential that our lawmakers understand the issues facing older adults today and prioritize building solutions that will address them,” said Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of NCOA.

“The Strategic Framework from ACL makes one thing clear: it’s going to take all of us working together to see real change happen.” 

What’s included in this Strategic Framework, how does it align with NCOA’s initiatives, and what does it mean for people working with older adults? 

Overview of the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging 

The Strategic Framework is built upon four domains that guide ACL’s recommendations for creating a National Plan on Aging: 

• Age-Friendly communities 

• Coordinated housing and supportive services 

• Increased access to long-term services and supports 

• Aligned health care and supportive services 

Age-friendly communities 

The Strategic Framework calls for a coordinated, cross-sector effort to ensure that older adults feel connected as valued members of their communities. This includes addressing social isolation, promoting programs that offer older adults opportunities to contribute to and volunteer in their communities, and increasing health care providers’ knowledge of the needs of older adults. 

Included in this domain is The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which is managed by NCOA and helps connect older adults with low incomes to find part-time training assignments that often turn into permanent employment. Similarly, the plan emphasizes continuing to fight against ageism in the workplace. 

Coordinated housing and supportive services 

ACL names several key priorities in the area of housing, including aging in place, affordable and accessible housing, access to broadband internet, and preventing homelessness. Without access to these resources, older adults are prevented from being able to age well—physically and financially. 

Increased access to long-term services and supports 

Long-term care can help older adults with disabilities perform activities of daily living. However, many people cannot get the care they need, and professional caregivers are in short supply. The Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center, funded by ACL and operated by NCOA, is devoted to building and strengthening states’ caregiving workforces to ensure that older adults receive high quality care. 

Another important consideration in ACL’s report: the high costs of these services and navigating the process of obtaining coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, and other sources of funding, making the system complex and confusing for recipients of care and caregivers alike. 

Aligned health care and supportive services 

The Strategic Framework emphasizes the importance of considering the social determinants of health that can further promote the health and well-being of older adults. This includes increasing access to benefits like SNAP and the Medicare Savings Program and programs that promote nutrition, brain health, and chronic disease management. NCOA is involved with many of these initiatives that seek to address more than just acute physical health issues and truly address the root causes of chronic conditions. 

What’s next? 

The ACL report is just the beginning of a long journey to develop a National Plan on Aging. Read the full report here and discuss how these priority areas align with your own advocacy and organizational goals. ACL hosted a webinar explaining the Strategic Framework and plans to post the slides and recording on their website soon. You can also provide your feedback on the Strategic Framework through a short online survey.