National Plan on Aging
Along with state and local efforts, the federal government has recognized the need to plan for the upcoming demographic shift on the national level. The National Plan on Aging will advance best practices for service delivery, support development and strengthening of partnerships within and across sectors, identify and propose solutions for removing barriers to health and independence for older adults, and more.
Vision
The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities (ICC) is leading the charge to develop a National Plan on Aging. The vision is an America that values older adults, embraces aging, and recognizes everyone has the right to live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society. We envision a nation that prioritizes independence, inclusion, well-being, and health throughout life. The following values guide the work of the ICC. To drive progress towards the vision, the ICC has set four overarching domains to address key aging issues based upon the authorizing language in the Older Americans Act. These domains are core to the foundation of the Strategic Framework and reflect the priorities of existing plans on aging, including state multisector plans on aging.
Age-Friendly Communities
All older adults live in communities that respect and include them and are designed to encourage health, well-being, engagement, and connection.
Increased Access to Long-Term Services and Supports
All older adults can easily access affordable, high-quality services and supports that promote their independence and goals.
Coordinated Housing And Supportive Services
All older adults have access to housing and the services they need to maintain their independence at home and thrive in their community.
Aligned Health Care and Supportive Services
All older adults maximize their health and reduce preventable disease and injury through comprehensive care that includes health and social services in the home or in the community.
Community Engagement
The ICC is committed to ensuring that the perspectives of community members, including older adults in the greatest economic and greatest social need, inform the direction of a national plan on aging and similar efforts.
The ICC is working in partnership with the National Plan on Aging Community Engagement Collaborative, which consists of the SCAN Foundation, The John A. Hartford Foundation, and the West Health Policy Center to elevate the voices of older individuals and community partners and to build upon momentum for coordinated efforts to support healthy aging at the global, federal, and state levels.
Strategic Framework
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released "Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging" on May 30, 2024. This report, developed by 16 federal agencies and incorporating input from community partners, lays the foundation for a coordinated effort to create recommendations for promoting healthy aging and age-friendly communities.
The framework addresses critical aging issues, including housing, healthcare, community accessibility, workplace inclusivity, and long-term support services. It aims to advance best practices, strengthen partnerships, and remove barriers to health and independence for older adults. The Interagency Coordinating Committee has been engaging with stakeholders nationwide to inform the development of the national plan on aging. Together with the Community Engagement Collaborative, various listening sessions have been held throughout the country to gather input from older adults with the greatest social and economic need. This feedback will inform continued efforts to create a national plan on aging.
Related Resources
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