HEALTHY AGING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND BEYOND: LESSONS FROM FIVE YEARS OF THE NATIONAL POLL ON HEALTHY AGING AND AARP

The past five years have brought enormous changes in the lives of older adults and their families. During this time the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA), co-sponsored by AARP and Michigan Medicine, has gathered the experiences and perspectives from nationally representative samples of US adults age 50-80 on a range of topics related to healthy aging. These polls have been used to elevate the voices of the older adults in the development of policies and practices to improve the health of people as they age. During the past two years, poll reports have captured how changes in lifestyle and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the health and well-being of older adults. Members of the NPHA team from the University of Michigan and AARP will begin with an overview of the poll including its goals and methods. The session will then highlight key findings from the first five years of the NPHA that have important implications during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, with special attention to poll findings related to joys and stresses and aging in place. The presenters will also discuss how to access publicly available NPHA data. The session will wrap up with a discussion of how the perspectives and experiences of older adults gathered through the NPHA and AARP polling can be used to inform policy and advocacy to support healthy aging.

CHARTING THE POST-COVID-19 COURSE IN NURSING HOMES THROUGH STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY

Nursing homes sustained a disproportionate number of negative effects from the COIVD-19 pandemic including strained resources, significant decline in workforce capacity, high prevalence of infections and mortality among older adults, and a need for ongoing support and timely information related to COVID-19 vaccination and boosters. The HRSA-funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs (GWEPs) have responded to the growing need to support nursing homes in the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several of these GWEPs undertook new efforts under supplemental federal funding to conduct outreach and partner with nursing home stakeholders including direct care workers, residents, families, and community-based organizations to address gaps in education and training, to promote age-friendly care, and to address social determinants of health. In this symposium GWEPS from different geographic areas share their experiences in developing nursing home focused interventions, engaging feedback to refine curricula, and identify areas to advocate for future policy considerations to support and enhance nursing homes post-pandemic.