Time to Talk: Creating Intergenerational Connections

June 2, 2025

The 2020 pandemic exposed the devastating effects of social isolation across all age groups. In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General recognized loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection as an urgent public health crisis. This issue is particularly significant for seniors, who often face barriers such as limited mobility, lack of transportation, and financial constraints. In fact, one in four Americans aged 65 and older is considered socially isolated.

As part of the Santa for Seniors program by Lutheran Community Services Northwest, “Time to Talk” was developed to foster intergenerational connections, promote the physical and mental well-being of older adults, and cultivate empathy and awareness among youth. In partnership with local private school Annie Wright, middle school students engage with seniors on a weekly basis.

Before their visits, students participate in Senior Sensitivity Training, where they experience some of the mobility, hearing, and vision challenges seniors often face. They are then paired with a senior living in a local senior community.

Each session is structured to encourage meaningful interactions. Students receive a set of conversation prompts, an icebreaker, and an activity—such as origami—to enjoy together.

Questions may include: Where did you grow up? Did you have pets? What was your first job? Do you have any words of wisdom? Depending on their grade level, students may also design their own interview questions or activities. At the end of the semester, they create a keepsake for their older adult partner, capturing the stories and insights shared during their time together.

This program offers invaluable benefits for both students and older adults. Students build confidence in conversing with others, practice note-taking and interview skills and gain a deeper appreciation for different life experiences. Older adults, in turn, enjoy engaging activities that bring them out of their apartments, create shared experiences, and offer a meaningful opportunity to pass down their stories.

The impact of “Time to Talk” is best reflected in the words of its participants. One older adult shared, “Seniors get to talk and share and feel like they belong to something.” Another emphasized the importance of intergenerational connections, stating, “It’s important to
stay connected to younger people because when you don’t have that, you don’t enjoy all that life has to offer.”

Students, too, have expressed the program’s value. One participant reflected, “I think it’s a really valuable experience because you don’t really understand the struggles elderly people face every single day.” Another student shared, “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to hear others’ life stories and experiences.”

Connections and friendships between generations are essential for keeping seniors engaged and happy while helping students develop empathy and a greater understanding of the world. “Time to Talk” strengthens these bonds, honoring seniors by giving students the chance to learn from their wisdom and experiences.

The Latest on Medicaid

May 27, 2025

The U.S. House of Representatives Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with implications for Medicaid, Non Profit Charitable tax-exempt organizations and Medicare. Action now moves to the Senate.

The House of Representatives voted on May 22 to pass their version of a budget reconciliation package with a vote of 215-214 that includes $715 billion in cuts to Medicaid, while adding over $2-3 trillion to the deficit (based on various estimates).  The measure includes work requirements targeted at the adult expansion population beginning in December 2026. It also includes caps to provider taxes – which is the way a significant majority of states pay for their share of Medicaid – making it hard for states to fill the gaps in funding  The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects that roughly 10 million Americans will lose coverage as a result of the cuts.

Action now moves to the Senate where Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has signaled they will look for $600 billion in cuts to Medicaid to pay for the expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Senate is expected to pass a budget reconciliation package before the July 4 recess, which means that it will be important to meet with your Senators to ask them to protect Medicaid from cuts.

Our new campaign, Here We Stand. For People. For Care. For Medicaid. Includes resources to support outreach to members of Congress and the media in your local and state markets.

House Budget: Charitable Non-Profit Tax and Medicare Implications

The recently passed House version of the Budget Reconciliation Bill includes implications for nonprofit charitable organizations and Medicare.

Nonprofit Charitable Tax Status: What is NOT included/out

  • The House passed bill does NOT include the provision that would revoke nonprofit status from “terrorist supporting organizations”:
    • House Republicans removed a provision from the bill that would have granted authority to the Treasury Secretary to revoke nonprofit status from “terrorist supporting organizations,” without requiring the Secretary to share full evidence or ensure due process.

What IS included/in: 

  • Charitable Act at $150/300 (single/joint filer) – urge Senators to support;
    • The House bill creates a non-itemizer tax deduction up to $150 for individuals and $300 for married couples, regardless of whether the tax filers claim an itemized deduction (Section 110112).
  • Limits on charitable donations – urge Senators to oppose;
    • These proposals (Section 110011 and Section 112027) discourage charitable donations made by corporations and individuals, ultimately leaving nonprofit organizations with fewer resources to serve their community.
    • Adds new limits on itemized deductions, including the charitable deduction. If enacted, this provision would significantly reduce the value of itemized deductions for high-income taxpayers, disincentivizing charitable giving.
    • Section 112027 creates a 1% floor for charitable contributions made by corporations. In doing so, this provision would discourage corporate giving, if such donations amount to less than 1% of their taxable income.
  • New or expanded taxes on non-profits and foundations – urge Senators to oppose;
  • These proposals (Section 112022 and Section 112024) divert scarce resources away from essential services, undermine the ability of charitable nonprofit organizations to meet needs in their communities, and put greater strain on government.
  • Increases and expands Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) to include any qualified transportation fringe benefit, such as transit benefits or parking benefits, for charitable organizations.  Note: The provision also carves out an exception for church-affiliated organizations.
    • In essence, this provision applies an income tax on an expense. This provision was previously passed in 2017 and subsequently repealed due to the confusing nature of applying an income tax on an expense and difficulty of quantifying the expense of certain benefits such as the cost of a parking spot already owned by a charitable organization.

Medicare:

  • Triggers Medicare cuts under the Statutory Pay As You Go Act of 2010 that could include reductions in provider reimbursements. Because the bill would increase the budget deficit by $2.3 trillion, the CBO projects the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would have to curtail Medicare spending by $45 billion in 2026 and $490 billion from 2027 to 2034.
  • Suspends a rule to facilitate enrollment in Medicare Savings Programs that cater to low-income people eligible for Medicare and Medicaid by pushing back the effective date to 2035. Savings are estimated to be $84 billion.
  • Ends Medicare eligibility for some lawfully present foreign nationals who currently qualify by limiting the program to permanent residents who are green card holders, from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau, or, in certain cases, from Cuba. This would save $132 million.

LSA will continue to provide updates and actions as the debate moves forward in the US Senate on Medicaid and broader issues.  Stay current on our public policy efforts by subscribing to our advocacy alerts.

Please contact LSA staff with any questions or for more information:

Voice. Evidence. Action.

May 23, 2025

Our strength as a trusted, community-centered national network comes not just from our size and scale, but from the intersections of our work where message, evidence, and action meet. Last week was a vivid example of that alignment as we launched the Here We Stand campaign, published a new issue brief, “Innovating Care Through Community Partnerships,” and hosted a Results Network convening with 50 leaders from across the country.

Together, these initiatives tell a story of collaboration, innovation, and a united, faith-based voice leading with purpose.

Medicaid is a cornerstone of our work and a lifeline for the people we serve in more than 1,400 communities nationwide. As policymakers at both the state and federal levels continue to debate the program’s future, Here We Stand gives voice to our shared values. It boldly affirms our unwavering commitment to the millions who rely on Medicaid and reflects our unique perspective as a network that works across the full spectrum of Medicaid stakeholders. This is more than messaging—it’s a public declaration of who we are and what we stand for.

That voice is rooted in real, on-the-ground innovation. Our new issue brief highlights how Lutheran Services in America members are transforming care by forging partnerships between Medicaid Managed Care and community-based organizations, showing how integration of behavioral health and non-medical services and supports are improving outcomes for children and families and strengthening communities. A future brief and forthcoming blueprint will spotlight similar innovation across the network including in aging services and the Disability Network.

These ideas don’t just live on paper. They come to life through our learning communities. From the Rural Aging Action Networks to the Disability Network and, just last week, the Results Network convening.

These aren’t parallel tracks—they are deeply connected. The message shapes the narrative. The evidence builds credibility. The convenings fuel collaboration, innovation, and momentum.

Together, they show what’s possible when we speak with one voice, ground our work in truth, and lead with courage and community. This is how change happens. This is how we light the way—united, unwavering, and filled with purpose.

Alesia Frerichs is the President & CEO of Lutheran Services in America.

Showcasing the Innovative Rural Aging Action Network Model at ASA’s On Aging 2025

May 16, 2025

Regan McManus, director of aging initiatives at Lutheran Services in America, recently highlighted the work of the Rural Aging Action Network (RAAN) at the 2025 On Aging annual conference, hosted by the American Society on Aging—the nation’s largest multidisciplinary conference on aging.

In two well-received sessions, Regan joined three RAAN leaders to share rural-relevant strategies for improving health outcomes in rural and frontier communities. Their presentations emphasized the importance of building cross-sector partnerships and expanding investment to drive sustainable, equitable solutions for older adults in these underserved areas. In a third session, Regan partnered with the National Council on Aging to explore practical approaches for overcoming barriers to partnership collaboration in rural communities.

In addition to presenting, Lutheran Services in America hosted an afternoon roundtable for RAAN members to reflect on the past three years of the program and to collaboratively plan for the future. The day concluded with a group dinner, celebrating connection, collaboration, and progress.

We were pleased to see RAAN leaders from Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, St. John’s United, Immanuel Living, Missouri Slope and Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota join Regan in attendance.

With a growing focus on family caregiver services and supports, this next phase of RAAN promises to deepen its impact across the RAAN network.

Court Strikes Down Minimum Staffing Mandate, 24/7 Nurse Requirement

April 21, 2025

On April 7, a federal judge in Texas knocked down the Biden Administration’s April 2024 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule that mandated minimum staffing levels at skilled nursing facilities. In making his decision in favor of plaintiffs challenging the mandate, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk ruled that CMS exceeded their authority and that their regulatory action was not consistent with Congress’s legislation governing nursing homes.

The rule would have mandated that all nursing homes that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding provide a total of at least 3.48 hours of nursing care per resident per day. In addition, nursing homes would have had to have a registered nurse onsite at all times.

Lutheran Services in America has long advocated against these mandates, given the significant negative impact they would have had on access to care, especially in rural areas. We will continue to raise our unified, faith-based voice to ask Congress to permanently block the staffing mandate through legislation.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Lutheran Services in America.

How a Robot is Advancing Memory Care for Older Adults

April 21, 2025

Older adults who experience the loss of cognitive functioning are often more susceptible to social isolation. Loneliness can take an enormous toll on one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s a reality that pushes our network to focus on finding person-centered solutions that embrace new and innovative approaches to improve social engagement—and thus the quality of life—for older adults in memory care.

Through a continuing partnership with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, Lutheran Services in America launched a pilot program with our member organization Lyngblomsten in Minnesota to explore how artificial intelligence-powered robots can meaningfully engage older adults with memory loss. This work is an example of how our network is catalyzing innovation and collaboration for impact—one of our core strategies to advance health and opportunity for all.

A Robot That Cares

Over the past year, two memory care campuses in Anoka and Ramsey Counties welcomed Temi, the newest team member at Lyngblomsten. Temi navigates independently, engages older adults individually, and interacts with residents based on each person’s interests, which are collected through family intake questionnaires. From playing a favorite card game to guiding gentle exercises or offering reminiscence therapy through music, Temi adapts to meet older adults where they are, literally and emotionally.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. One resident calls Temi her go-to partner for a daily game of solitaire (no more shuffling required!). Another resident uses Temi as a walking companion who plays favorite hymns along the way and helps her stay physically active while bringing joy in her daily routine. Moreover, staff and family caregivers report seeing improved moods and stronger daily engagement.

“The robot has been embraced by staff, residents and family caregivers as part of the Lyngblomsten team in promoting person-centered care,” said Jeff Heinecke, president and CEO of Lyngblomsten.

What We’ve Learned

Originally intended for use across independent and assisted living settings, the pilot shifted focus exclusively to memory care residents after early results showed the greatest impact amongst this group. The robot’s ability to deliver consistent, individualized engagement, especially for those who may struggle to advocate for themselves, has become a valuable complement to staff-led activities.

Group sessions with Temi showed promise, with one-on-one interactions proving to be even more meaningful. With those results in mind, Lyngblomsten is now expanding implementation into community-based memory care programs, offering this powerful tool to older adults and families living outside of campus settings—people who might not otherwise have access to this opportunity.

“Our partnership with the CTA Foundation is a powerful force for good, uniting technology and innovation to expand support for older adults and family caregivers across the country,” said Alesia Frerichs, president and CEO of Lutheran Services in America.

Leading Together

We’re constantly evaluating how we can continue to innovate to better support older adults communities with quality care for underserved households. This pilot program allows us to collaborate with forward-thinking partners like the CTA Foundation and leverage new technologies like Temi the robot. Together with our member organizations, our network is reinventing what it means to redefine care.

In our past six years of partnership with the CTA Foundation, we have brought investment and visibility to the following projects:

  • Virtual reality devices to provide shared immersive experiences for homebound older adults and caregivers at Evertrue
  • Google Glasses for virtual caregiver education of loved ones with dementia at Samaritas
  • Technology stations within affordable housing at Graceworks
  • iPads, tablets, and hotspots for older adult and caregiver connections at LSS Minnesota

Reach out to me to learn more about how we’re evaluating outcomes and what implementation could look like in your setting.

Ashley Washington is Senior Director of Aging Initiatives & Member Experience at Lutheran Services in America.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces Major Changes: What It Means for Our Network

April 1, 2025

What’s Happening?

On March 27, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an extensive restructuring, including a reduction in workforce of about 10,000 full-time employees and a consolidation of their 28 divisions into 15 new divisions, one of which will be a new Administration for a Healthy America, or AHA. Regional offices will be reduced from 10 to five.

We are actively working to understand the implications of these major changes.  Below is a summary of what we know to date. As we learn more specific details, we will update you, and please reach out to us with questions.

What is Changing?

The restructuring includes the following actions:

  • The creation of the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA): the new division will combine multiple agencies — the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) — into a single new entity.
  • The reorganization of the Administration for Community Living (ACL): critical programs that support older adults and people of all ages with disabilities will be integrated into other HHS agencies, including the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

At the same time, HHS is also “discontinuing” $12 billion in existing grants from SAMHSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that were being used for tracking infectious diseases, mental health services, addiction treatment and other urgent health issues, and which were originally allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically:

  • $1 billion from SAMHSA to states to address mental health and substance use disorder, which was to be spent by September.
  • The grants in question were authorized and appropriated by Congress, and their termination may lead to new lawsuits. Several states said they were exploring legal options.

What Do We Know About the Potential Impact of the Announcement?

  • The ACL serves as a hub across HHS and with other Departments to coordinate services and supports critical to disabled people and older adults, such as Long-term Services and Supports (LTSS) and affordable housing, facilitating federal, state and local cross-sector partnerships focused on efficient use of limited resources. As we learn more about these changes, we will continue to provide updates since we recognize the potential impacts to many network members.
  • SAMHSA, which is charged with advancing behavioral health and improving the lives of people with mental health needs and substance use disorder (SUD), will reportedly see a cut of upwards of 50% of its staff as it is consolidated into the new AHA. Network members who receive grant funding directly through SAMHSA may be impacted.
  • Among the cuts to agency staff will be 300 employees of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS.)

What Happens Next?

  • HHS is continuing to make updates on its more specific plans for the restructuring and how existing divisions, programs, and funding will be impacted.
  • We will be especially monitoring for more details about the nature of the changes to ACL, SAMHSA, and CMS, and what they mean for the federal funding landscape.

Much is unclear and unknown, but Lutheran Services in America is actively working to understand more about how these changes will impact our network and those we work with.  Please reach out with any questions to Sue Polis, Vice President of Government Relations & Advocacy, or Sarah Dobson, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy.

Lutheran Services in America Partners with WETA for Outreach for Caregiving Documentary

March 20, 2025

Housing Update: HUD and LIHTC

March 12, 2025

HUD Staffing

Our partners at the National Low Income Housing Coalition are circulating a sign-on letter to address the planned staff changes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Trump Administration is expected to terminate at least half of all HUD employees, making it significantly more difficult for states and communities to access the federal housing, community development, and homelessness investments they need to address their most pressing challenges. Learn more.

ICYMI: The National Homelessness Law Center recently hosted a web forum on Trump, Homelessness and the Road Ahead. Access the recording and transcript.

LIHTC

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) is bipartisan legislation introduced in the House and Senate to expand and strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to encourage private investment in the development and preservation of affordable housing. The Action Campaign is seeking help to build broader support and co-sponsorship for this bill. You can learn more here.

Sue Polis is Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs at Lutheran Services in America.

Interfaith Solidarity Statement on Refugees and Immigrants

March 7, 2025

Supporting
Our Neighbors,

TOGETHER.

Our shared Lutheran tradition of service to our neighbor is more vital than ever.

Join us as we work to ensure our network continues delivering essential services to all in need.