Executive Order
RP 42
Relating to the creation of the Aging Texas Well
advisory committee and plan.
WHEREAS, the State of Texas values older Texans and is committed to ensuring
that all Texans age well with dignity, independence and opportunities to contribute
to society; and
WHEREAS, Texas has 3.1 million people over the age of sixty, the fourth
largest such population in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the elderly population represents an increasingly diverse and
rapidly growing group as a result of increased longevity and the aging of
the baby boom generation; and
WHEREAS, the Aging Texas Well initiative was first created in 1997 to encourage
Texans to prepare individually for aging in all aspects of life and to ensure
that state and local social services infrastructure facilitates aging well
throughout the life span; and
WHEREAS, the changing demographics of the state will create the need for
comprehensive policy changes in response to: growing numbers of informal caregivers
for older Texans, rapidly increasing costs associated with caring for those
with chronic disease and disability, the need for providers with geriatric
training, the aging of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities
and their caregivers, and increasing numbers of older Texans with transportation
and mobility needs; and
WHEREAS, recent federal initiatives such as the President's New Freedom
Commission on Mental Health and the Medicare Modernization Act will also impact
the state's ability to appropriately serve this population; and
WHEREAS, these demographic trends will create new and different demands
on state services across all functions of state government, and will introduce
new opportunities for economic and community growth while driving health and
long-term care costs inexorably higher unless Texans emphasize healthy lifestyles
that include physical activity and good nutrition; and
WHEREAS, local communities have a critical role in preparing for the future
demographic changes by building capacity to support an aging population; and
WHEREAS, the White House Conference on Aging, scheduled for October 2005,
provides an opportunity for states to further review and amend aging policies
in their state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power
and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas
as the Chief Executive Officer, do hereby order the following:
Advisory Committee.
The current Department
of Aging and Disability Services Aging Resource Group shall be reconstituted
as the Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee to advise the Department and to
make recommendations to state leadership on implementation of the Aging Texas
Well initiative.
Aging Texas Well Plan.
With the advice
of the Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee, the Department of Aging and Disability
Services shall create and disseminate a comprehensive and effective working
plan to identify and discuss aging policy issues, guide state government readiness
and promote increased community preparedness for an aging Texas. The Texas
Department of Aging and Disability Services shall biannually update the plan
and shall evaluate and report on its implementation.
Review of State Policy.
With the advice
of the Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee, the Texas Department of Aging
and Disability Services shall review and/or comment on state policies, concentrating
on current critical trends including but not limited to:
1. Improving services and supports for informal caregivers;
2. Promoting ways to increase evidence-based disability and disease prevention
activities;
3. Increasing the recruitment and retention of health care providers trained
in geriatrics;
4. Improving the provision of services and supports to persons with developmental
disabilities and mental retardation who are aging;
5. Reviewing options to expand the mobility of older adults through affordable,
accessible and integrated transportation services;
6. Improving the provision of behavioral health services and supports to
older persons; and
7. Reviewing federal changes in health care policy, particularly the impact
of the Medicare D prescription drug benefit, on the ability of older Texans
to access medications.
State Agency Readiness:
The Texas Department
of Aging and Disability Services shall lead a planning effort to ensure the
readiness of all Texas state agencies to serve an aging population by identifying
issues and current initiatives, future needs, action steps, and methods of
performance evaluation. The effort shall advance an intergenerational approach
to policies, programs, and services to address the needs of Texans across
the lifespan.
Texercise:
The Department of Aging and
Disability Services, Department of State Health Services, Governor's Advisory
Council on Physical Fitness, and other appropriate state and community organizations
shall continue to promote and expand the internationally-recognized Texercise
program as a means to ensure healthy lifestyles in older Texans.
Local Community Preparedness.
The Department
of Aging and Disability Services shall work with public and private community
partners, including state and local governments, to build capacity to serve
a growing aging population through partnership development and action planning
using formal community assessment processes.
Report of Compliance.
The Aging Texas Well
Plan shall serve as a report on implementation of this order.
Full Cooperation.
All affected agencies
and other public entities shall cooperate fully with the Department of Aging
and Disability Services in the implementation of this order.
This executive order supersedes all previous orders in conflict or inconsistent
with its terms and shall remain in effect and in full force until modified,
amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding Governor.
Given under my hand this the 1st day of April, 2005.
Rick Perry, Governor
TRD-200501425