S.3827 and a Systematic Review of State-Level Multisector Plans for Aging: How Incorporating Volunteer Caregiving Can...

Area of Science:

• Public Health Policy
• Gerontology
• Social Work

Background:

• The US population is rapidly aging, increasing the demand for comprehensive eldercare services.
• Currently, only 8 states have established Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs), highlighting a need for broader adoption.
• Federal support is crucial to incentivize states in developing and implementing MPAs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the passage of S.3827, the Strategic Plan for Aging Act.
• To detail the benefits of state-level MPAs and federal support for their creation.
• To analyze existing MPAs and identify opportunities for improvement, including volunteer caregiving integration.

Main Methods:

• Policy analysis of S.3827.
• Systematic review of 8 existing state-level Multisector Plans for Aging.
• Literature review on volunteer caregiving models.

Main Results:

• Passage of S.3827 is expected to encourage more states to develop MPAs.
• Existing MPAs show overlap in supporting formal and informal caregivers but have potential gaps.
• Volunteer caregiving presents a viable model to address unmet needs, especially for elders lacking formal or family support.

Conclusions:

• Federal legislation like S.3827 is vital for advancing strategic aging plans nationwide.
• MPAs should be designed to be comprehensive, addressing diverse elder needs.
• Integrating volunteer caregiving into MPAs can effectively mitigate service gaps and enhance elder support systems.