DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:

Welcome to The Link!

On behalf of the Iowa Department on Aging, welcome to the inaugural issue of The Link – our new monthly e-newsletter for all things related to aging in Iowa.

While The Link replaces some of our previous publications, including AgingWatch and Healthy Aging Update, we think you'll be pleased with the breadth of topics it covers and the information it contains – from updates on Older Americans Act programs to state legislative issues to upcoming educational opportunities. As always, we welcome your feedback as we strive to provide you with the timely information you need to enhance the quality of life for older Iowans.

Enjoy!

Donna K. Harvey

Director, Iowa Department on Aging 

Health and Human Services budget bill passes at close of 2015 Legislative Session

Just prior to the end of the 2015 Legislative Session on June 5, the House and Senate agreed on a version of Senate File 505, the Health and Human Services budget bill that provides funding to executive branch human services agencies, including the Iowa Department on Aging and the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Governor Branstad signed the bill into law on July 2, authorizing funding for aging and long-term care advocacy programs in the amount of $12.7 million.

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Family caregivers: America's invisible army

Often described as an "invisible, isolated army," family caregivers are an indispensable element of our nation’s health care and long-term services and supports systems. Findings from the Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 study completed by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute suggest this “army” is 43.5 million Americans strong. And while caregivers are defined as anyone over the age of 18 who provides unpaid care to a friend or relative, American caregivers are becoming more diverse.

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Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition attracts more than 100 attendees to first annual symposium

On July 10, the Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition held its first annual falls prevention symposium, "Iowa Stands Up To Prevent Falls."

The conference took place in Waterloo and featured opening remarks by Iowa Department on Aging Director Donna Harvey, a variety of presentations by national and local experts on falls prevention and engaging panel discussions.  

With one out of every 27 older Iowans hospitalized for a fall-related injury at an average cost of $26,388, falls are a serious, but largely preventable, public health issue. Copies of handouts from this year's conference are posted on the Iowa Department on Aging website, along with other falls prevention resources. 

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Iowa White House Conference on Aging event stimulates statewide discussion

Are Iowa communities equipped to offer the wide range of services aging individuals will need to maintain their long-term independence? Do older Iowans know what types of services they need? How will Iowa adapt to ensure its aging population will be able to maintain the highest quality of life possible?

Those questions and others were the topics of discussion during a special statewide event on June 26, when the Iowa White House Conference on Aging Coalition presented “Join the Conversation: Iowa White House Conference on Aging Dialogue.”

With community conversations taking place across Iowa, “Join the Conversation” sparked a statewide discussion about issues like the changing dynamics between generations; the challenges of caregiving; the financial considerations of elder care; and the realities of aging. As nearly 200 Iowans shared their thoughts, their comments were documented as part of a report that was shared with the 2015 White House Conference on Aging. 

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