Caregiving & Support
Learn insights about the critical role of caregivers in supporting aging populations and the resources needed to strengthen it.
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Finding Harmony: Coordinating Support for Aging and Disability Populations
As America ages, states are facing a pivotal challenge: How to support older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers in ways that are coordinated, person-centered, and sustainable. Two major movements address this challenge: No Wrong Door systems and Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs).At first glance, they may seem like separate melodies. But in reality, they are deeply connected an...
Why Aging with HIV Must Be Included in Every Multisector Plan for Aging
Understanding the intersection of HIV and aging is essential particularly as states develop multisector plans for aging (MPAs). People aging with HIV include long-term survivors, individuals who acquired HIV at birth or in childhood and have lived with the virus their entire lives (lifetime survivors), as well as individuals diagnosed later in life. This diverse aging community faces unique clinic...
Preparing for the Future: Using Data to Support Aging in America
It’s no secret that communities worldwide are experiencing a demographic shift, with older adults soon outnumbering younger generations. In the U.S., the Census Bureau projects that by 2034, adults ages 65 and older will outnumber children younger than 18 for the first time in history.West Health has worked with federal and state agencies to facilitate aging-focused planning, and a common challeng...
Leveraging Multisector Plans for Aging to Promote Health Equity
As our population skews older, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and social services becomes increasingly important. Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) have emerged as a pivotal framework for addressing the diverse needs of older adults and promoting health equity. This comprehensive strategy encompasses initiatives aimed at enhancing well-being and quality of life for older Americans, while...
Creating the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging
Aging in America and the Case for a National Plan on AgingThere are more than 77 million adults ages 60 and older living in the United States, representing more than 23% of its total population, and this cohort is expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years. In addition, more people are aging with a disability. Our changing demographics require all levels of government, along with key...
Why MPAs Are Critical to Equitably Meeting the Needs of Aging Communities
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, states have an opportunity to rebuild their systems serving elders to better serve all older adults and people with disabilities. This massive feat must begin with a plan.Multisector Plans for Aging—also known as master plans, strategic plans or aging-well plans—offer a powerful tool for communities to better meet older adults’ long-term services and supp...
Who Pays? The Cost of Long-Term Care in the United States
Long-term care includes an array of services that help people with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and eating. These services may include home health care, nursing home care, personal care, homemaker services, transportation, and other supports that allow older adults and people with disabilities to live safely and with dignity. Nearly 70% of older Americans will nee...
How Transportation Shapes Health Care Access for Older Adults
As we age, access to transportation greatly influences our ability to maintain independence and engage in essential daily activities. For more than 11 million older adults who no longer drive, reliable transportation often determines whether they can access timely care, manage their chronic conditions, grocery shopping, and stay connected to their communities. Nearly 10% of older adults over age 6...
From Isolation to Connection: Supporting Older Adults in Connecting to Community
Social Isolation and loneliness — what is the difference? Social isolation means a person has few social relationships and/or little contact or support from others. Loneliness is the subjective experience of feeling alone or not close to others. Someone can, objectively, have many social connections, but still feel alone. Social isolation is a growing public health concern in the United States, l...
Navigating Family Caregiving as We Age
Increasingly, caregiving roles are extending into later years for adults. According to the 2025 AARP Caregiving in the U.S. Report, 59 million Americans provide care for adults age 18 and older, who typically have complex care needs. The average age of these family caregivers is 51 years old, and they are lifelines to sustaining families and filling gaps in the U.S. long-term care system given the...