Older Americans to Get Help with Fight Against
Chronic Disease from Recovery Act Funds
$27 million will give at-risk elderly and their
caregivers the tools they need to make their own decisions
Dec. 17, 2009 - HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has
announced the availability of $27 million to help senior citizens with
chronic conditions to improve their health and reduce their use of
costly medical care.
The funds are through the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has provided up to $650 million to HHS for the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative launched
earlier this fall to promote evidence-based prevention strategies in
communities and states across the country.
This program is about getting money to communities
to help seniors manage chronic conditions that threaten their ability to
remain in their own homes. Through HHS national aging-services network
which reaches into nearly every community in America, we are helping
people living with chronic conditions and others better manage their own
health, Secretary Sebelius said.
Research has shown that prevention programs can
improve the quality of life for older individuals, including frail
seniors with multiple chronic conditions, and also reduce health care
costs. The Recovery Act funds will put the results of HHS research
investments into practice at more than 1,200 community-based sites
across the country -- reaching tens of thousands of older Americans and
their families.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has
been about helping families in need during challenging economic times,
said Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee. This innovative
program will give at-risk older people and their caregivers the tools
they need to make their own decisions so they can live longer, healthier
and more independent lives.
This competitive initiative gives every state Aging
and Health Department and U.S. territory the opportunity to implement
rigorously tested Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs (CDSMP), one
of the most prominent being the Stanford University model.
The CDSMP is a six-week peer-led training program
that covers topics such as healthy eating, exercise, managing fatigue
and depression, and communicating effectively with health care
professionals.
While further research is underway, rigorous evaluations
have suggested that the program improves participants overall health
and energy levels and result in savings to Medicare through fewer
hospital stays.
CDSMP are specifically designed to be delivered by
non-health professionals in community settings, such as senior centers,
congregate meal programs, faith-based organizations and senior housing
projects.
Too many seniors do not receive the recommended
preventive and primary care they need, said Assistant Secretary for
Health, Dr. Howard K. Koh. This program will strengthen the health
care that our seniors need and deserve by coordinating and integrating
care in the community.
Eligible entities include all 50 states and U.S.
territories. States will identify the communities and the organizations
that will be involved locally in the delivery of this program. The
deadline for applications is Feb. 12, 2010.
Dec. 17, 2009 - HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has
announced the availability of $27 million to help senior citizens with
chronic conditions to improve their health and reduce their use of
costly medical care. 
CDSMP are specifically designed to be delivered by
non-health professionals in community settings, such as senior centers,
congregate meal programs, faith-based organizations and senior housing
projects.