The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Sept. 29 announced $36 million in new grant programs to 28 states to help older Americans and veterans remain independent and to support people with Alzheimer’s disease to remain in their homes and communities. Just over $19 million of this funding involves a new collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In addition, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced a $17 million investment to improve the delivery of home and community-based services to people with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers. The joint effort is part of a Nursing Home Diversion grants program.
The new program will be administered by HHS’s Administration on Aging (AoA) in collaboration with the Veterans Health Administration. Under the program, $10.5 million is being provided by HHS through AoA, and $5.7 million by the states. VA estimates purchasing at least $3 million in veteran-directed home and community-based services for older veterans and for recently returned veterans with long-term care needs. The number of veterans over age 85 has tripled during the past decade, creating a significant expansion in the need for long-term care. Read the press release.
