Idaho Commission on Aging

The Idaho State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program's mission is to advocate for residents in Idaho's long-term care facilities, ensuring their rights, enhancing care quality, and improving quality of life through dedicated advocacy, educational initiatives, and outreach efforts. Its vision is to deliver resident-driven, independent, impartial, and fair services that uphold residents' health, safety, welfare, and rights. The program's core values emphasize the worth of residents, the importance of community outreach and education, and the dedication of program representatives to trust, confidentiality, and resident self-determination.

This document is a planning manual designed to guide Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in developing their local plans. It outlines a structured process across six phases: Planning and Organization, Environmental Analysis, Identified Opportunities, Strategic Plan, Execution Plan, and Continuous Quality. The manual emphasizes becoming highly reliable, learning organizations, and focuses on strategic pillars such as Keep Learning, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected, Stay Home, and Stay Safe, with the ultimate goal of supporting vulnerable older Idahoans to age safely and successfully.

The strategic plan focuses on gathering information on the current and future needs of the aging population in Idaho, with emphasis on lower-income and socially isolated persons who were eligible for Older American Act (OAA) services. Key areas of focus include homemaker and chore services, nutrition services, respite, caregiver, and case management services, and addressing emotional health and social isolation. Targeted outcomes include improving access to nutritious meals, expanding services for in-home care, and enhancing social connectedness through senior centers and community programs.

The meeting included discussions on new Idaho State laws, a review of the leaked Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Passback document, and a summary of President Trump's Skinny Budget document. The board also discussed the 2024-2028 State Plan for Congregate Meal Program goals, Idaho Needs Assessment data regarding Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, and outcomes of the Loneliness Awareness Month campaign. Updates were provided on the LTCOP outreach opportunities, and the statewide Action Plan regarding Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June 2025 was shared.

The strategic plan for the Idaho Commission on Aging focuses on supporting older Idahoans to age in place by creating a coordinated and effective network of community-based services. Key areas of focus include administrative excellence, promoting innovation, ensuring the viability of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), and enhancing partnerships with various organizations. The plan prioritizes primary prevention, universal access, and addressing the diverse needs of older adults and caregivers through initiatives promoting learning, health, connectivity, and safety. It also aims to improve service delivery, increase transparency, and address stakeholder-identified gaps in program delivery and service quality.