Aging in rural America comes with unique challenges. We recently launched Rural Voices 2025, a new initiative supported by The SCAN Foundation, to uplift the lived experiences of low-income rural older adults and accelerate policy change. Our own Regan McManus helped to kick off the initiative in South Dakota and Minnesota, where this work is centering the voices of older adults to inform national policy and strengthen systems of care so everyone can age in place.
We are excited to announce LSA CommUnity, our new collaborative learning platform for members that offers tools and opportunities to exchange ideas, create partnerships, and stay informed about what’s happening across our network. Members will receive an activation link in the coming months.
Implementation of Budget Reconciliation Law Moves Ahead as Senate Advances Housing Bill
States face differing impacts as the budget reconciliation law begins to take effect while bipartisan support in the Senate advances a housing bill focused on expanding affordable housing access.
Join Us for Our Next Capitol Conversations Webinar
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 1:00–2:00pmET
Major changes are on the horizon for both health and housing policy as the budget reconciliation bill moves toward implementation. Join us for our next Capitol Conversations webinar where we’ll explore the shifting Medicaid landscape, including state-level impacts, and changes in housing policy related to budget reconciliation, including changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and what it means for our network.
Our speakers include:
Staff from the National Association of Medicaid Directors who will share insights on what is on the mind of state Medicaid directors, along with guidance on how to strengthen relationships with state Medicaid offices.
Althea Arnold from the Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF), a collaborative of 13 nonprofits advancing the creation and preservation of affordable homes, who will offer insights on housing-related policy shifts.
Our advocacy team will also provide updates on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and what to expect in the months ahead from Capitol Hill, including a potential second budget reconciliation bill and the status of the appropriations process for fiscal year 2026.
Many seniors in community settings are dangerously under-hydrated, often without realizing it. This can stem from various factors, including medical conditions, medication side effects, cognitive impairment, or even simply a diminished sensation of thirst that comes with age.
While dehydration might be a minor concern for a younger person, it poses significant risks for older adults; this can lead to increased confusion, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dizziness, and especially Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). These can all contribute to dangerous situations like falls, wandering, and disproportionate reactions to stimuli. Although many facilities encourage fluid intake, specific protocols and accountability for resident hydration are often lacking. A major challenge lies in providing adequate hydration to cognitively impaired seniors, who frequently resist drinking water.
