This week we’re reading about the need for new and different strategies to support aging in place, mental health parity, employment of people with disabilities, and access to home and community-based services.
- The Atlantic explores older Americans’ desire to age in place, suggesting if “staying independent is what people want,” attitudinal changes about natural supports are necessary.
- The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Stateline reviews implementation of the 2008 federal mental health parity law, suggesting stigma may be the most profound barrier to enforcement. More: A view from the states on implementation, courtesy of NCSL.
- New government figures indicate a drop in the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities. The rate fell to 10 percent in April as compared to 12.5 in the prior year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s monthly jobs report. More: Huffington Post shares how four companies are focusing on the disproportionately high rate of unemployment and underemployment among individuals with ASD.
- Related: New Hampshire becomes the first state in the nation to make it illegal for people with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage following legislation signed last week, reports Disability Scoop. More: Governor Maggie Hasan’s signing statement.
- The results of a recent state audit in Georgia finds “[t]hose in need of immediate long-term services and supports can generally receive them more quickly from a nursing home,” according to an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Also, last week the National Advisory Board’s Declarations blog marked Older Americans Month with a new post by Dr. Yanira Cruz of the National Hispanic Council on Aging. Check it out!