Strengthening Connections Between the Aging and Disability Networks: Perspectives From the Field

The aging and disability networks in the United States provide services and supports enabling millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to live in the community settings of their choice. With increasing numbers of people with disabilities aging into older adulthood and older adults aging into disability, community living requires seamless and equitable access to services and supports across the aging and disability networks and the life course. This Forum article provides a brief overview of the aging and disability networks and describes successful national initiatives bridging aging and disability organizations such as USAging's Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative and the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center. State and local trends in disability and aging collaborations are described, including the growth of community care hubs that bring aging and disability organizations together in social care networks to serve these populations. This article will help researchers better understand the current initiatives connecting aging and disability organizations and identify opportunities for further research.