BPC’s New Healthy Aging Report Receives National Recognition
Washington, D.C. – As the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Senior Health and Housing Task Force report spreads far and wide, the co-chairs, former HUD Secretaries Henry Cisneros and Mel Martinez and former representatives Allyson Schwartz and Vin Weber, are pleased to see such a positive response for their recommendations. Here is a sampling of what people are saying about the report:
“The National Council on Aging applauds the excellent BPC recommendations, which outline important opportunities to improve quality of life and care, as well as reduce costs, for millions of older Americans. We are particularly pleased with the recommendations to promote evidence-based falls prevention interventions and home modifications through Medicare and other federal programs, and better enable senior homeowners to safely access home equity so that they can be more independent and use their home to stay at home.”
James Firman, president and CEO of the National Council on Aging
“BPC’s revealing and comprehensive bipartisan response to the pressing housing needs of the nations’ seniors is an important call to action to government, business, philanthropy, the faith community and the non-profit sector. There is much to be accomplished if we are going to ensure that our seniors have even the most basic necessities for well-being in their later years.”
Fred Karnas, senior fellow at The Kresge Foundation
“Elected officials, business leaders and experts in the field should take notice of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Senior Health and Housing Task Force Report. We support the report’s important recommendations, and we commend co-chairs Cisneros, Martinez, Schwartz and Weber on their efforts to effect change in an area of urgent importance to the current generation of older Americans and of aging generations to come.”
Paul Irving, chairman of the Center for the Future of Aging at Milken Institute
“These are actionable recommendations so that healthy aging can truly begin at home. We know the solutions, from LIHTC expansion for home improvements and more homes, to bringing the SASH model and CAPABLE to scale nationally. These reduce falls and reduce costs as part of comprehensive systems change. With bipartisan support we can provide the support that our parents and grandparents—and even some of us—deserve.”
Nancy Rockett Eldridge, executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing
“We congratulate the Bipartisan Policy Center on the release of its report. We have always known that there is a strong correlation between a person’s health status and the quality of their housing. The recommendations in this report will catalyze the creation of a more cohesive system enabling housing to function as a platform for residents to maintain their well-being and gain access to quality healthcare services.”
Bill Kelly, strategic advisor and co-founder, Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future, who also served on BPC’s Advisory Council of this report
“We are grateful to the Bipartisan Policy Center for shining light on the nation’s need to increase the supply of affordable housing, meet the needs of aging homeowners, integrate health care and services with housing, and harness technology to support successful aging. LeadingAge members and the people they serve will benefit from this report’s recommendations that identify realistic solutions for keeping older adults aging comfortably at home for as long as possible. We look forward to seeing these solutions come to life.”
Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge
“This report is a wake-up call that America desperately needs a new national housing policy that responds to our country’s changing demographics. The need for supportive housing that brings health care and other services to the home will grow. Congratulations to the task force for their very timely work, which demonstrates the high stakes involved and offers a good path forward. I am particularly grateful to my former BPC Housing Commission co-chairs, Henry Cisneros and Mel Martinez, for their continued leadership on these critical issues.”
Pamela H. Patenaude, president of the J. Terwilliger Foundation for Housing America’s Families
“BPC’s report reiterates what we intuitively know: we must provide more and better housing options for seniors. Moreover, our goal should not necessarily be about keeping people in homes. Rather, it should be to create housing options where people can truly thrive. This requires innovative, creative solutions where seniors can live in community with individuals of all ages, yet still have easy access to healthcare and other supportive services.”
Ryan Frederick, founder and CEO of Smart Living 360, who also served on BPC’s advisory council for this report
“The Bipartisan Policy Center’s report holds broad implications for the nation as seniors become a greater percentage of our overall population. SASH is an important solution to challenges faced by our healthcare and housing systems.”
Kim Fitzgerald, Cathedral Square CEO