The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Innovation (CMMI) is looking to revamp its priorities for the new administration and has issued an informal Request for Information seeking YOUR input. They intend to chart “a new direction to promote patient-centered care and test market-driven reforms that empower beneficiaries as consumers, provide price transparency, increase choices and competition to drive quality, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. “

St. Louis Public Radio recently engaged in a discussion of how to prevent falls. Read about this panel discussion, or listen to the broadcast. The CDC's Ann Dellinger, Branch Chief, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control participated in the panel.

The Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL) commissioned a supplemental issue of Generations through its National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) in an effort to advance the establishment and enhancement of dementia-capable home and community-based systems. It is titled Supporting People with Dementia and Their Caregivers in the Community. The Generations supplement is comprised of 18 articles authored by experts in a broad range of dementia care and advocacy topics.

Profiles for ACL’s 2017 Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) grantees are now available on our

ACL recently awarded grants totaling nearly $3 million to 14 states to support caregivers by strengthening lifespan respite care programs. These programs seek to improve the well-being of families by coordinating existing respite systems, providing education and training opportunities, and expanding respite services.

Chronic conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart, lung, or brain diseases, are a part of most Americans’ lives. People with chronic conditions, as well as their caregivers, live with and adapt to the presence of these diseases.

Last month, HHS issued a proposed 2018 Physician’s Payment Rule that included changes to Medicare payment rules, coding, and quality measures

September is Pain Awareness Month, sponsored by the American Chronic Pain Association. Millions of Americans live with pain from injuries, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, cancer, and other disabilities. Pain can be acute, with a beginning and end, or it can be chronic and may last through a person’s lifetime. Acute pain, including pain associated with cancer, can usually be addressed through treatment of the underlying injury or illness.

Hurricane Harvey has been devastating for many communities in Texas and Louisiana, impacting people of all ages and abilities. As emergency response rescue efforts continue and recovery efforts begin, understanding and accommodating the unique circumstances faced by older adults and people with disabilities will be critical.

At ACL we believe that every person has the right to make choices and to control their own decisions. This right is independent of age or disability or stage of illness.  To help ensure that people who have serious illnesses are able to control their care and services, ACL, in consultation with its stakeholders, developed Principles for Person-directed Services and Supports during Serious Illness.