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.