LTSS Newsletter—June 2021

Next LTSS webinar: AARP Driver Safety, June 23, 2021

Updated CDC guidance for the fully vaccinated

In May, CDC updated their guidance for fully vaccinated people. Those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or physically distance, except when required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws. Local businesses and workplaces may set their own guidance.

Many people have expressed concern that people who are not fully vaccinated will choose to not wear masks. To help protect communities, it is important to continue encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. Consider sharing these resources with your community:

• CDC’s fact sheet, What Tribal Communities Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines, addresses what people can expect from vaccines and why it is important to get them.
• A new website, vaccines.gov, helps people find nearby vaccine locations no matter where they are. CDC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Boston Children’s Hospital partnered to create this resource.

Elders’ top needs from evidence-based health programs

A series of reports from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) discuss how evidence-based health programming can adapt to meet the needs of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian elders.

Insights from Title VI directors and staff

NCOA’s report, Perspectives from Older Americans Act Title VI Directors and Staff on Health Promotion Programs in Indigenous Communities, summarizes findings from a survey of Title VI directors and staff to promote understanding about elders’ top needs, program interests and funding sources, partnerships, how programs increase participation, and other program considerations.

Notably, every survey respondent reported that the social engagement aspect of Title VI congregate meals is appealing for tribal elders. They also said elders’ needs most commonly relate to diabetes and chronic disease management and transportation.

Insights from elders

NCOA’s second report, The Voices of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Elders, lists findings from listening sessions with elders, which gathered recommendations for evidence-based health promotion programs. During the listening sessions, elders described what it means to age well, how community programs can support them in aging well, why they participate in community-based programs, and what types of health information they need and where they get it.

The elders echoed many of the findings from the Title VI survey. For example, they raised the topic of socialization several times as a means to support aging well, such as through connections to family, helping others, and group activities. They also said they need education on diabetes and other chronic conditions and would appreciate healthy food demonstrations.

More NCOA resources on evidence-based programs

Findings from the survey and listening sessions are covered in more detail in NCOA’s full report, Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs Among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities: A Call to Action to Improve Cultural Relevance and Accessibility. This report reviews the need for evidence-based programs in Indian Country and how to improve their effectiveness.

Further, NCOA’s report, Successful Strategies and Lessons Learned from Implementing Evidence-Based Programs for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities, covers strategies for implementing and adapting evidence-based programs for tribal communities. It also features several success stories from tribal programs throughout Indian Country.

Road to equity: Addressing structural racism in health care

The CMS Office of Minority Health recently held a virtual forum called Road to Equity. The forum participants discussed health equity, how to address structural racism in health care, and the role of federal agencies as equity partners. Recordings and transcripts from the forum are now available.

Helping elders avoid fall-related injuries

As part of its Still Going Strong campaign, CDC provides guidance to caregivers on how they can help elders reduce their risk of falling.

The first tip seems obvious but is sometimes overlooked: open communication with elders and their health care providers about the potential for falls and injuries is important so all parties can work together to reduce the risks.

For example, if an elder starts taking a new medication, it is important to be aware of side effects like dizziness or fatigue that could increase their likelihood of falling. Caregivers should monitor the elder’s reaction to the medication and notify a care provider of any side effects, such as dizziness or feeling unsteady. Caregivers should also alert the elder’s health care provider if the elder falls, even if they are not injured, so the provider can help address any issues that might have led to the fall.

Other tips range from ensuring elders get routine eye exams to helping them choose an exercise program for improving their balance to removing tripping hazards from their homes.

23rd biennial NICOA conference

Conference dates: August 1–6

Registration is open for the 23rd National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) conference, to be held in Reno, NV, in August 1–6, in conjunction with the National Title VI Training & Technical Assistance Conference.

The NICOA conference’s theme is “Resilience for Tomorrow... Together.” Workshop sessions will cover LTSS, elder abuse prevention, caregiver support, and more.

Improving Type 2 Diabetes control and prevention

Deadline: July 13, 6 pm eastern
Apply for the diabetes control and prevention funding opportunity.

The U.S. Department if Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) and the Office of Minority Health (OMH) are seeking programs dedicated to improving health and racial equity for minority populations. Through this funding opportunity, programs will identify family-centered factors that promote the self-management and prevention of Type 2 diabetes for family members ages 12 and older. OASH and OMH plan to award 4 programs up to $500,000 each.

Community Care Corps innovative models for volunteer caregiver support

Deadline: July 9
Apply for the Community Care Corps funding opportunity.

Community Care Corps, through the Administration for Community Living, is requesting proposals for innovative models using volunteers to assist family caregivers, older adults, or adults with disabilities in maintaining their independence. Community Care Corps will award between $30,000 and $150,000 to new applicants and up to $100,000 for second-year applicants. All grantees must contribute to at least 21% of the total program budget through cash and/or in-kind contributions.

Accessing social determinants of health data

Deadline: July 28 at 6 pm eastern
Apply for the social determinants of health data funding opportunity.

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) is requesting proposals for the Accessing Social Determinants of Health Data through Local Data Intermediaries funding opportunity. Projects will use local data intermediaries to facilitate access to data between local partners and improve their ability to apply the data to address health disparities among minority populations. OMH plans to award up to $250,000 each to 2 organizations through this opportunity.