Aging Well in America: AARP’s Vision for a National Plan on Aging

By 2030, one in five Americans will be age 65 or older. This trend is potentially transformational for the economy, culture, and society in the U.S., as it is for other nations where the same trend is playing out. While other countries are responding to these changes by developing and implementing national strategic plans to help them meet the challenges and maximize opportunities to increase longevity, the U.S. has yet to develop a comprehensive national plan on aging. Importantly, aging itself is not a challenge; being unprepared for aging is.

The good news is that significant progress has been made at the state and local levels, and new federal efforts are now underway to develop a national plan on aging. A national plan on aging is essential to ensuring that as Americans age, they are able to build financial resilience, maintain good health, and remain in their homes and communities. For many older Americans, these goals are out of reach. The need for a national plan on aging is more crucial than ever. 

This policy paper provides a comprehensive blueprint for the development of a robust national plan on aging to foster the well-being, quality of life, and dignity of older Americans now and for future generations. Designed to complement and leverage federal capabilities to bolster ongoing community and state efforts through multisector collaboration, the established goals in this plan represent the interconnected areas of policy change that impact the quality of life for millions of older adults. 

The Groundwork for National Plan on Aging

As of July 2024, over 887 communities across the country and 11 states have joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The common thread among the enrolled communities and states is the belief that the places where we live are more livable and better able to support people of all ages when local leaders commit to improve the quality of life for the very young, the very old, and everyone in between. 

In addition, about half of states (including several age-friendly states) have implemented, developed, or initiated creation of multi-year aging strategic plans, commonly known as multisector plans for aging (MPAs). Although state MPAs vary in scope, including their goals and target populations, they all encourage the development of solutions and approaches that involve collaboration across government, private entities, and the public. By working together with elected officials in creating and implementing a plan, policymakers, advocates, and industry leaders ensure that an MPA has staying power and the necessary resources to make a lasting impact. 

The lessons learned and best practices gleaned from these experiences at the community and state levels are essential to informing a national aging plan, which should effectively support state plans, catalyze other states to create their own plans, and highlight the key benefits, opportunities, and effective solutions that emerge from the states. This from-the-ground-up approach to plan development is particularly appropriate given that, ultimately, much of the implementation happens at the state and local levels.

While state governments play a significant role in political structure of the U.S., there remains significant room for federal action on a national plan, which can tap the insights of and successes of state efforts. The good news is that the federal government has recently taken some early steps toward developing a national plan. When the Older Americans Act was reauthorized in 2020, one provision called for establishing a “Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities Interagency Coordinating Committee” (ICC), which was tasked with creating a strategic framework for a U.S. National Action Plan on Aging. Importantly, the legislation requires planning by multiple agencies with the intent of breaking down silos and building greater efficiencies. As part of its efforts, the ICC released a high-level report on a Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging in May 2024 and then began holding a series of listening sessions to engage older adults across the country and gather input on key aging issues, particularly housing, long-term services and supports, health, and age-friendly communities. 

Key Elements of Aging Well

A national plan on aging must offer a clear and compelling vision and articulate clear actions for sustained, equitable impact. AARP’s vision for aging well is an inclusive society where all individuals can age with dignity and purpose—maintaining their health, financial resilience, and quality of life in age-friendly, livable communities with the necessary support systems in place. 

At the heart of a national plan are clearly defined goals to enable all adults, including older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers, to maintain healthy, productive, engaged, and purposeful lives as they age. Across these goals, it is crucial to ensure that all individuals can thrive as they age and benefit from a more holistic system. 

Goals

Below are four key goals that should guide the development of a national aging plan, which are discussed in detail in the policy paper:

• Goal 1: Promote healthy living and access to affordable, high-quality health care
• Goal 2: Support family caregivers and ensure access to affordable, high-quality long-term services and supports (LTSS) that maximizes the dignity, independence, and protection of older adults
• Goal 3: Provide ample opportunities to generate, save, and preserve financial resources
• Goal 4: Create age-friendly, livable communities that enable people to age in place, and continue as engaged members of their communities

Cross-cutting Principles

Clearly defined goals provide direction and purpose. Yet to truly make a lasting difference, these goals need to be shared by overarching principles that foster a comprehensive and integrated approach. When the following principles are applied consistently across each goal, communities are better equipped to meet the needs of older adults and improve their quality of life as they age:

• Aging as a strength
• Collaboration, engagement, and inclusivity
• Transparency
• Data-driven decision-making and accountability
• Adaptability
• Technological empowerment

The Future of a National Plan on Aging

The imperative for a national plan to age well is more evident now than ever. Through the input of older adults, organizations with expertise in aging issues, and other stakeholders from all sectors, a national plan has the potential to achieve sweeping solutions. It can create efficiencies where the work of federal agencies overlaps and harness the strengths of all stakeholders across sectors.

Creating a national plan is just the first step to building a country that enables all people to age well. Key to the success of the established goals of a national plan is ensuring that the necessary financial support is in place. To effectively implement the plan, it is crucial for the federal government to establish a clear roadmap for action, ongoing evaluation, and adaptability.