Black older adults in the United States face significant disparities in health care access, income security, and housing due to systemic racism and lifelong inequities. These challenges lead to higher poverty rates and increased reliance on public benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act would strengthen and expand SSI benefits to better support low‑income older adults and people with disabilities by increasing payments and updating outdated eligibility rules.
This issue brief examines how adding a dental benefit to Medicare would reduce these disparities and address these challenges. The paper begins with a description of nursing facility residents enrolled in the Medicare program, followed by an overview of the disparities in access to oral health coverage, services, and outcomes residents face. Next, the paper examines how adding a dental benefit to Medicare would help improve access and outcomes and concludes with policy recommendations to address barriers beyond coverage that impede access to oral health care for residents.
This issue brief discusses the role of home and community-based long-term care in tribal communities, the unique rules that may apply to tribal communities, and the barriers and cultural factors that advocates should be aware of when supporting tribal elders in accessing these benefits.
This issue brief outlines how various federal programs—such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Older Americans Act programs, and more—have historically supported LGBTQ+ older adults. It also describes ways in which agencies and advocates can improve data collection, service delivery, and cultural responsiveness to better meet the needs of LGBTQ+ older adults.
This issue brief identifies
policy recommendations that advocates can pursue with PHAs on behalf of formerly incarcerated older
adults. It also outlines how advocates can engage with PHAs through the PHA planning process.
This comprehensive guide breaks down Medicare eligibility and costs for older immigrants, and includes tips on accessing savings programs and language assistance.
As older adults leave incarceration and reenter our communities, they need support to connect them to health care benefits and other essential programs.
