Aging Practice Tools

Adults experience multiple transitions as they age: family transitions, vocational transitions, transitions in health, and transitions in housing needs, to name a few. Within the health, behavioral health, and long-term care systems, older adults can face transitions of care, or care transitions, among care providers and across settings on an almost daily basis.During such transitions, older adults are at increased risk for medical and psychosocial complications (Coleman & Berenson, 2004; Tahan, 2007).

Barriers to successful transitions of care exist within health care delivery systems, among health care practitioners, and among health care consumers (Coleman, 2003).  Older adults’ medical risks associated with care transitions, and the financial impact of transition-related complications, have gained increasing attention within the medical community.

Beginning January 1, 2006, prescription drug coverage will be available to all Americans with Medicare. Every person with Medicare, no matter how they get their health care today or whether they have existing drug coverage, will be eligible for drug coverage under a Medicare prescription drug plan. Insurance companies and other private companies will work with Medicare to offer these drug plans. Medicare prescription drug plans will be available throughout the country, and all plans will cover both brand names and generic drugs.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is set to launch the Medicare Modernization Act’s (MMA), new prescription drug benefit (Part D) for Medicare beneficiaries. October 1, 2005 marked the official beginning of the marketing and outreach phase, during which the various drug plans are permitted to distribute informational materials on their formularies and services. This includes plans that work with traditional Medicare coverage and plans that work with Medicare Advantage programs, which include prescription drug coverage and other services.

Implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) is rapidly approaching. Here is a quick reference of resources that provide information about the implementation, benefits, and reforms of the MMA.

The social work profession has a long history of advocating for — and serving the needs of — older adults and their families. The rapid increase in the number of older adults in this country has led to a heightened interest in social work practice with this population.