Resource Center

Michael Lipka from Pew Research Center presents five facts regarding the nature of Americans' relationship with death:

"1. Death may not be the most comfortable topic to ponder, but 37% of Americans say they have given a great deal of thought to their own wishes for end-of-life medical treatment – up from 28% in 1990. A third (35%) say they have put their wishes in writing. At the same time, however, about a quarter (27%) say they’ve given no thought or not very much thought to their wishes.

With unprecedented global aging, societies must undertake all-of-society efforts to maximize the benefits and minimize the burdens of aging populations. The Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity (Global Roadmap) describes a realistic vision of healthy longevity that could be achieved by 2050. The vision includes full inclusion of people of all ages, regardless of health or functional status, in all aspects of society and societies characterized by social cohesion and equity.

This briefing discusses how states and communities can become dementia-capable, that is, able to help people with dementia and their caregivers. To show how this can be done, there are examples of innovative programs.

Source: Administration for Community Living (ACL), 2014
https://acl.gov/aging-and-disability-in-america/issue-briefings

This briefing describes how to address the wandering and exit-seeking behavior of people with dementia who live in the community. Person-centered care is the key to responding to wandering. Knowing people and their needs and history helps caregivers anticipate ways to meet needs and prevent injury.

Source: Administration for Community Living (ACL), 2015

This briefing describes how to address the wandering and exit-seeking behavior of people with dementia who live in the community. Person-centered care is the key to responding to wandering. Knowing people and their needs and history helps caregivers anticipate ways to meet needs and prevent injury.

Source: Administration for Community Living (ACL), 2015

ACL describes how states could provide home and community-based services to adults with disabilities and help them remain in their homes and communities. The special circumstances of older adults with dementia, who are at high risk of nursing home use, are also described.

Source: Administration for Community Living, 2016
https://acl.gov/aging-and-disability-in-america/issue-briefings

Opioid misuse and addiction have become a large, nation-wide issue. Opioid use disorder can affect people of all ages; racial, ethnic, sexual and gender minorities; income classes; and geographic areas. Older adults are among the groups affected by this problem because they often use prescription opioids to cope with painful chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or procedures, such as surgery.

Source: Administration for Community Living, 2017
https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/behavioral-health/

This brief provides examples for states and others to consider when seeking to improve adults’ health and well-being through malnutrition interventions for community-living older adults, and those experiencing hospitalization.

Source: Administration for Community Living, 2017
https://acl.gov/aging-and-disability-in-america/issue-briefings

This brief describes how a person’s overall health is related to their oral health and a number of options states have for expanding access to oral health.

Source: Administration for Community Living, 2016
https://acl.gov/aging-and-disability-in-america/issue-briefings

The Optimizing Health and Functional Status as We Age Roundtable was held on April 14, 2023, in Rockville, Maryland. Sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Roundtable’s purpose was to identify how AHRQ can have meaningful impact with respect to research, dissemination, and implementation of evidence to improve the organization and delivery of healthcare with the goal of optimizing the health, functional status, and well-being of the U.S. population as it ages.