USAging Announces New Public Awareness Campaign to Raise Visibility of Area Agencies on Aging
Home-delivered and congregate meals: Nutritious meals at home or in group settings.
In-home support: Assistance with daily tasks like bathing, cleaning and dressing.
Transportation: Rides to medical appointments, stores and community activities.
Health and wellness programs: Fall prevention, chronic disease management fitness classes.
Benefits counseling: Help understanding and enrolling in Medicare, Medicaid and more.
For Caregivers:
Respite care: Short-term relief to prevent burnout.
Training and support: Educational tools and support groups for caregivers.
Information and referral: Guidance to local programs, services and community resources.
'By 2035, older adults are expected to outnumber children under age 18 for the first time in the history of this country,' said Markwood. 'By 2040, a full 22 percent of the American population will be 65 years or older. Currently, there are more than 53 million unpaid family caregivers in the United States. There has never been a more crucial time for people to learn about AAAs and the services that are available to them to help them live long and stay strong.'For more information, visit www.usaging.org/livelongstaystrong or connect with your local AAA by contacting the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov.
CONTACT: Bethany Coulter USAging 202.872.0888 bcoulter@usaging.orgSign in to access your portfolio
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
14 minutes ago
- Time Business News
The Essential Guide to Starting a Mental Health Clinic
Mental health care has transitioned from a whispered concern to a national imperative. Rising awareness, reduced stigma, and growing insurance support have created a fertile environment for new mental health clinics. But building a clinic isn't simply about meeting demand—it's about creating an ecosystem of care, compliance, and compassion. Whether your motivation is clinical passion or entrepreneurial purpose, launching a mental health clinic today means combining empathy with precision and vision with structure. Launching a successful care venture begins with identifying a clear mission and understanding the unique needs of your target population. From there, it's essential to develop a sustainable business model, secure proper licensing, and build a team of qualified professionals. How to start a mental health business often hinges on combining clinical expertise with strategic planning, ensuring compliance with regulations while delivering impactful services. Marketing, funding sources, and community partnerships also play a crucial role in long-term viability. With a thoughtful approach, your organization can become a trusted resource for individuals seeking support and healing The first critical step is to define what your clinic will offer and to whom. Will you specialize in adult outpatient services, pediatric therapy, trauma recovery, or co-occurring disorders? Are you planning individual therapy, group sessions, medication management, or all of the above? Your clinical scope influences licensing requirements, staffing needs, insurance eligibility, and even your marketing tone. Begin with a clear clinical philosophy—whether it leans toward CBT, DBT, EMDR, or holistic modalities—and build out a service model that is specific, scalable, and evidence-based. Your clinic must be established on a compliant legal framework. Choose a business entity such as an LLC, S-Corp, or nonprofit, and register it with the Secretary of State in your jurisdiction. Acquire an Employer Identification Number (EIN), open a dedicated business bank account, and ensure your malpractice insurance and general liability policies are active. Licensing varies by state, but many require operational approval through departments of mental health or public health. You may also need certification if you plan to bill Medicaid or Medicare. An early conversation with a healthcare attorney can prevent delays and clarify documentation needed for approval. The physical space of your clinic should promote healing while meeting regulatory standards. Look for a location that is accessible by public transportation, ADA-compliant, and zoned for healthcare use. The layout should support privacy and workflow—with dedicated rooms for therapy sessions, group meetings, staff offices, and intake assessments. Safety systems, soundproofing, natural light, and calming aesthetics should all be considered in your build-out. For telehealth or hybrid models, make sure your office technology supports secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual care. Your clinic's environment speaks volumes—before a single session begins. A mental health clinic is only as strong as its clinicians and support staff. Begin by hiring a clinical director to oversee care quality and supervise therapists. Licensed professionals—LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, psychologists, and psychiatrists—form the foundation of your care delivery. Ensure they are fully credentialed, carry individual malpractice insurance, and are familiar with your clinical approach. Administrative staff such as intake coordinators, billing specialists, and office managers keep operations running smoothly. Consider the culture you want to cultivate and hire individuals who align not just with your mission but with one another. A cohesive team enhances outcomes and creates a warm, stable environment for clients. Once your team is in place, standardize your approach to care. Develop treatment pathways for different presenting issues—depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and so on—and implement documentation templates to ensure uniform clinical notes. Create policies for crisis intervention, informed consent, mandatory reporting, and termination of services. Decide how you will measure success: symptom reduction, patient satisfaction, attendance rates, or outcome tracking? Investing in a clinical supervision framework, peer reviews, and continuing education helps your team maintain high standards and avoid drift. Consistency is the invisible scaffolding that supports client trust and regulatory confidence. Whether your clinic is private-pay or insurance-based, robust billing systems are essential. Select an electronic medical records (EMR) platform built for mental health that includes appointment scheduling, note-taking, and claim submission. For insurance-based practices, initiate credentialing with major payers early—it can take 3 to 6 months to complete. Understand CPT codes, common claim denials, and pre-authorization processes to keep cash flow healthy. Design policies for fee collection, cancellations, and financial hardship. A strong financial backbone allows your clinic to grow sustainably and reduces administrative burnout for your team. Promoting a mental health clinic requires a delicate balance of visibility and ethics. Start with a professional website that clearly outlines your services, bios, scheduling options, and intake procedures. Optimize your content for search engines so that local clients can find you easily. Engage with your community through partnerships with schools, physicians, and nonprofits. Social media, webinars, blogs, and podcasts are excellent tools to educate and build authority—but all content must remain HIPAA-compliant and avoid therapeutic promises. Authenticity, clarity, and professionalism build lasting trust in a space where clients are looking for safety and expertise. Even after opening your doors, your clinic must maintain continuous compliance. Implement a quality assurance program that includes peer chart reviews, client satisfaction surveys, and regular internal audits. Develop a process for handling grievances and correcting compliance issues proactively. If you're pursuing accreditation from CARF or The Joint Commission, prepare your documentation and processes accordingly. These seals of approval enhance your clinic's credibility and open the door to broader insurance contracts. Compliance is not a one-time effort—it's an ongoing practice of self-reflection and system improvement. In the competitive and evolving field of mental health and addiction services, quality assurance is a vital differentiator. Organizations seeking to demonstrate their commitment to excellence often pursue independent evaluation to strengthen credibility and improve outcomes. CARF accreditation for behavioral health signifies that a provider meets internationally recognized standards for quality and performance. This credential not only boosts trust among clients and families but also positions facilities favorably with payers and referral sources. By aligning operations with CARF's rigorous benchmarks, providers cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, ultimately enhancing the overall care experience. Starting a mental health clinic is a bold and necessary move in a society craving accessible, compassionate care. With clear intent, careful planning, and operational discipline, your clinic can become a refuge for healing and growth. From choosing a treatment model and securing licensure to hiring the right staff and implementing solid systems, every decision shapes the client experience and your clinic's long-term legacy. Success is measured not just in filled appointments—but in restored lives, empowered staff, and a community changed for the better. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Axios
2 hours ago
- Axios
Trump's Medicaid cuts threaten Florida's hospitals, most vulnerable residents
Florida's health care workers and advocates are sounding the alarm over Medicaid cuts in President Trump's tax and spending bill, arguing millions of residents could lose access to care in an already underfunded system. Why it matters: Curtailing funding will force health care providers to reduce or do away with necessary services, increase driving times for rural families seeking care and increase costs, advocates say. The big picture: The bill, which Trump signed into law Friday, has three main Medicaid shifts making medical providers nervous: Providers say adding work requirements for some recipients and conducting eligibility checks twice a year (instead of once) could lead to accidental coverage losses, starting Dec. 31, 2026. Plus: Hospitals face cuts to Medicaid payments they rely on for funding (beginning 2028). State of play: The phase-down effects of national cuts could cost the Sunshine State about $4 billion annually in Medicaid support, the Florida Health Justice Project projected. The cuts, advocates say, will likely impact the most vulnerable residents. By the numbers: As of 2024, about 4.3 million Floridians relied on Medicaid for their health care coverage — almost 19% of the state's population, according to state data. 77% of Florida's Medicaid recipients are children, seniors 65 and over, and people with disabilities, per the Health Justice Project. In January, 23% of Florida's rural hospitals were at risk of closure, with Medicaid serving as a crucial source of revenue. Medicaid serves more than 700,000 seniors and about 62% of nursing homes in the state rely on it. What they're saying: The cuts are "not an accounting tactic" but an "extreme blow" to a system that is relied on by about one in five Florida residents, Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, wrote prior to the bill's passing. "Florida already ranks nearly dead last regarding per capita Medicaid spending," she added. Florida has "no fat to trim, no bloat to eliminate, no waste to minimize."
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
The GOP's Medicaid cuts might not help Democrats much in the midterms
For Kentucky, one of the poorest states in the country, the largely federally funded expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare has been a huge policy boon. The state's uninsured rate has dropped by half over the past decade. Rural hospitals that might have otherwise closed stayed open. The state has rewarded Democrats for passing that law by … overwhelmingly voting against the party in almost every election since.
