The John A. Hartford Foundation blog

In our 2009 Annual Report, we focus on a traditionally under-recognized field: social work. Social workers’ unique training, which naturally includes care coordination and treatment of individuals in the context of their families and communities, is particularly well-suited to helping older adults live richer, healthier lives. Despite this, geriatric social work languished for years behind [...]

Another highlight of this month’s American Geriatrics Society meeting was the public policy address given by Assistant Secretary for Aging (HHS) Kathy Greenlee, who heads the Administration on Aging (AoA), a partner with the Foundation on several projects.

As this video clip shows, Secretary Greenlee discussed the need for a skilled geriatric workforce and some of [...]

While attending the American Geriatrics Society scientific meeting this past weekend, I had a glimpse of the future: Medical students participating in the MSTAR (Medical Student Training in Aging Research) program were in full force at the conference, showcasing their potential for leading the way in improving the health of older adults through research and [...]

The 2010 meeting of the American Geriatrics Society (where I spent my weekend and much of last week) celebrated a number of transitions in the field of elder care.  First and foremost, we are very pleased to join the aging and health community in welcoming Jennie Chin Hansen, RN, MSN, FAAN, to the new role [...]

Many older adults living in apartment communities or housing cooperatives enjoy a high degree of self-reliance, low cost of living, and enhanced quality of life. Even those who cope with multiple chronic conditions often find reassurance in having a reliable network of other resident members to depend upon for help.  So the benefits to seniors [...]

This month some of the best thinkers in geriatrics (most of whom Hartford is privileged to support as grantees) have an important paper in Health Affairs on the preparation of the physician workforce for care of older adults with chronic conditions.
They start by drawing out the service need implications of the demographic shifts we face [...]

We take great delight in congratulating Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States Region for winning the 2010 Case In Point Platinum Award in the case management provider program category. Kaiser received the award on April 20 at the National Press Club, in Washington, DC.
The award recognized Kaiser Permanente for their implementation of Guided Care, a proven approach [...]

Recently, the Health Affairs GrantWatch editor invited Eric Coleman and I to write a  blog post about provisions to address transitions of care in the recently passed legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Section 3026 of HR 3590).  The Community-Based Care Transition Program included in the legislation is based on Dr. Coleman’s Care [...]