By S. Aakash Kishore

We often think about the way we want to live our lives—we set goals, make plans and identify future hopes. Yet, until we are faced with mortality we rarely consider what it means to die with dignity. Healthcare providers who treat elder populations must keep this question at the forefront of their work. More importantly, however, they must be ready for a broad spectrum of answers, especially when working with diverse patient populations such as elder transgender and gender non-conforming people of color.

Last week we asked you what you see as the most significant challenge to successful care transitions. Here's what you said:

By Robyn Golden and Gayle Shier

Recent federal investments in care transitions show that the government is placing a high priority on this issue on a national level, as demonstrated in three prominent programs launched as provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

By Martha Roherty

Medicaid is a means-tested entitlement program financed by a partnership between the federal government and states, and it provides the bulk of long-term care for more than 60 million low-income Americans. Medicaid also accounts for 17 percent of all hospital spending, and is the single largest source of coverage for nursing home care. Older adults and people with physical disabilities account for 18 percent of Medicaid enrollees, but 66 percent of the costs.

By Anna Rahman

Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a well-intentioned, well-funded federal program that either “appears to be achieving its broad goals” or is falling woefully short of expectations. The conclusion depends in part on the answer to this question: Is this the best way to rebalance the long-term-care system?

By ASA Staff

The Atlantic Philanthropies recently released a report detailing their 10-year Older Adult Civic Engagement fund-granting program, including six valuable lessons learned in the process.

By Robyn Golden and Gayle Shier

The Winter 2012−13 issue of Generations, “Care Transitions in an Aging America,” is here!  Watch for it to appear in your mailbox soon. Additional single- or multiple-copy orders can be made from our online catalog.

By Ellen A. Bruce

How much do elders need to live in the community?  How many people can afford to live independently without the help of government supports? In what parts of the country do large numbers of elders need help?

ASA's Public Policy Committee works to bring policy resources to members for professional education and development, and to keep ASA's voice heard in national and regional policy circles. We'll be posting here to update ASA members on the activity of the Public Policy Committee's Policy Response Team.