HHS awards $35.7 million to improve care for older adults

More than $35 million in awards will go to 44 organizations in 29 states to support quality care for older Americans through the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, Health and Human Service Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced at the White House Conference on Aging today. In order to prepare the healthcare workforce to respond to the needs associated with advancing age, awardees identify the specific interprofessional geriatrics education and training needs of their communities and develop a program responsive to those needs. 

“Today’s grants reaffirm our commitment to invest in a workforce that will ensure high quality care for older adults,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “The geriatrics programs supported by these grants help schools design curricula that respond to the needs of aging adults and leads to better care. These investments will promote access to quality health care for older adults by supporting their self-management, their families’ engagement in their care, and the dedicated caregivers who work with them.”

The Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program aims to improve the quality of healthcare for older Americans by: 

• Changing clinical training environments into integrated geriatrics and primary care delivery systems. 
• Training providers who can assess and address the needs of older adults and their families or caregivers at the individual, community, and population levels. 
• Delivering community-based programs that will provide patients, families, and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to improve health outcomes and the quality of care for older adults. 

“This geriatrics program allows health professions schools to identify the specific geriatrics education and training needs of their communities and develop programs that are responsive to those needs, resulting in more tailored care.” said Rebecca Spitzgo, Associate Administrator, HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce. 

Visit the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program webpage to learn more. 

See the complete list of grant awards.

Aging.gov is a new resource site launched today in conjunction with the White House Conference on Aging. For more information on resources and topics to help older adults live independent and fulfilling lives such as healthy aging, elder justice, long-term care, and vital programs like Social Security and Medicare visit http://www.aging.gov

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.  HRSA is the primary Federal agency responsible for improving access to healthcare services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. For more information about HRSA and its programs, visit www.hrsa.gov.