AHCA/NCAL’s Post

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 389-9 to pass H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The Dole Act includes Argentum-supported legislation to expand access to assisted living for Veterans. The bill was passed under suspension of the rules, allowing it to bypass the lengthier legislative process for quick consideration on the floor. It now heads to the Senate for consideration, where it must pass before the end of the year to avoid having to begin the process anew with the next Congress. This legislation incorporates language from the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act (H.R. 1815 and S. 495), legislation that Argentum has strongly supported to allow veterans to choose assisted living for their long-term care benefit, instead of nursing home care. Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q02YHPhj0

07/08/2024 - The American Legion National Headquarters * Key Veteran Legislation * Contact your Congressperson, & ask them to support: • H.R. 8371 - Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. https://lnkd.in/gn2hwy76 o I support this legislation because, it stands not just as another bill, but as a comprehensive solution to address critical gaps in the care and support systems for veterans, their families, and their caregivers. This is a comprehensive veteran's package that includes several important provisions, including:  Enhanced Community Care Access:  Support for Home and Community-Based Services:  Authority to Award Grants for Mental Health Support to Family Caregivers:  Veteran Directed Care:  Gerald's Law:  VET-TEC:

National Long-Term Care Awareness Month is observed in November to raise awareness about long-term care (LTC) and encourage people to plan for their future. The month is recognized by the U.S. Congress and several states. Here are some ways to observe Long-Term Care Awareness Month: Have conversations Talk with loved ones about what you would want to happen if you need extended care, and how to financially provide for those goals. Educate yourself Learn about LTC options and the potential challenges that may arise. Make a plan Consider including LTC considerations in your financial plan, and speak to a specialist like me about your options. Check on loved ones If you have a loved one in a nursing home, check on them to ensure their care needs are being met. The need for long-term care increases as people live longer, and anyone could end up needing extended support due to illness, injury, or disability. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that more than half of Americans turning 65 will need LTC services and supports in the future.

Dear Veterans, Over the next two decades, a rapidly-growing elderly veteran population will strain the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) ability to provide long-term care (LTC). The number of veterans with service-connected disability ratings of 70% or higher, for whom VA is required to provide necessary LTC care services—and who are also at least 85-years old—is expected to grow by almost 600%. As a result, costs for LTC services and supports are expected to double by 2037 just to maintain current services. S.141, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, would improve VA programs for home and community-based services for veterans, and also offer a range of programs that may be less expensive and more preferable to veterans as they age. Consistent with DAV Resolution No. 016, DAV strongly supports S.141, which would increase the expenditure cap for noninstitutional care alternatives to nursing home care, encouraging more development of home and community services. This legislation would require VA to coordinate with PACE—the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly—for veterans in locations that provide it. It would also require VA to make certain programs, including Veterans Directed Care and Home Maker and Home Health Aide Programs, available at every VA medical center. It would improve respite services for VA’s Program for Comprehensive Assistance to Family Caregivers recipients and assist in providing options for caregivers who are not eligible for the program. Finally, it would require VA to develop a centralized website for program information for long-term services and supports. We are calling on all DAV members and supporters to contact their senators and urge them to co-sponsor and support S. 141, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, to strengthen and expand access to home and community-based services for veterans.

Changes are coming 🙏 With advancements in health and monitoring technologies, now is the perfect time for reforms to integrate these innovations into aged care. Wearable devices, and smart home systems can improve monitoring, communication, and safety for elderly individuals, particularly those living in remote areas or at home. Many aged care systems are struggling financially, with outdated funding models that are not equipped to handle the rising demand for services. There is a growing public awareness of the need for better aged care services. Families and communities are advocating for reforms to ensure their elderly loved ones are treated with respect and receive proper care. Now is the perfect moment of awareness and push forward meaningful changes.👏🏽

13 years in this sector and to date I still can not understand why the impact that Hospices have on our healthcare system is not recognised: - From a patient perspective a pain free death with dignity - From a hospital perspective avoiding patients unnecessarily dying in hospital (or even worse the Emergency Department) as well as supporting hospital discharges - From a community nursing perspective taking the load off the already overstretched community nursing teams and ensuring patients remain at home (where most want to die) - From an ambulance perspective freeing up paramedics on call outs with hospice community support or indeed avoid an admission to hospital through an admission to a bedded unit instead - From an NHS workforce perspective, educating our healthcare colleagues in the specialism which is end of life care - From a financial perspective every admission saved, every conveyance saved, every discharge saved, literally saves the NHS £Millions. Whoever wins the next election................your life is a story and the ending matters.

‼️ Support the Dole Act: A Legislative Milestone for Veterans 🇺🇸 The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, commonly known as the Dole Act, represents a significant step forward in ensuring comprehensive care and support for our Veterans. This bipartisan legislation, recently passed by the House, addresses critical issues faced by Veterans and their families. Key highlights of the Dole Act include: 🔹 ENHANCED HEALTHCARE ACCESS: Ensuring veterans can receive care at home without bureaucratic hurdles. 🔹 SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS: Providing essential resources and respite care for those who dedicate their lives to supporting our veterans. Housing Initiatives: Increasing funding for veteran housing programs, including projects on tribal lands. 🔹 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: Expanding access to mental health care to address the unique challenges faced by veterans. 🔹 EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: Offering job training and employment support to help veterans transition to civilian life. 🔹 HOUSING INITIATIVES: Increasing funding for veteran housing programs, including projects on tribal lands. This legislation is a testament to our commitment to those who have served our nation. By supporting the Dole Act, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of veterans and their families. 🔗 Contact Your Representative: Your voice matters! Reach out to your representative to express your support for the Dole Act. You can find your representative by visiting the House of Representatives website and entering your ZIP code: https://lnkd.in/gKmc92Pe 👉 Learn more and advocate for the Dole Act today: https://lnkd.in/gHywrdBa 📜 More about H.R. 8371: https://lnkd.in/gaaXHZQv #Veterans #DoleAct #Legislation #SupportOurVeterans #VeteransCare #VeteransHealthcare #SupportOurTroops #VeteranCare #Legislation #WWP #WoundedWarriorProject

It's an important change

The new Aged Care Act is vital to enshrining the rights of older people and implementing an equitable aged care system that ensures quality care, dignity and independence. #ARAS #AgedRightsAdvocacyService #AgedCareReformNow #NewAgedCareAct #DignityInAgedCare #AgedCareRights

November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month. Here are some statistics from Consumer Affairs. *Over half (56%) of Americans turning 65 today will develop a disability serious enough to require long-term service and support. *Seniors who require long-term care will need an average of $138,000 worth of long-term support services. *The median national monthly cost for nursing home care i s$8,641 for a semiprivate room. *Home health aides currently cost $5,625 pre month on average. *Assisted living currently costs and average of $4,917 per month. *Medicare does not cover nursing home stays longer than 90 days. We have options that can help protect your assets, take pressure off of your family, and give you peace of mind.