North Carolina ranks 41st nationally on Long-Term Services and Supports, reflecting the fragmented system of care that many residents in WNC and across the state face when seeking help. For many people across North Carolina, and especially in Western North Carolina (WNC), finding help can feel like navigating a maze. Whether someone is seeking support for aging in place, disability services, caregiving, housing stability, or recovery, the system often requires knocking on multiple doors before finding the right one.

The No Wrong Door framework was created to address this challenge. Guided by the Administration for Community Living, No Wrong Door is not a single program, technology platform, or intake system. Instead, it is a framework that helps states align governance, outreach, counseling, and access points so individuals can more easily find and receive the resources, information and help they need.

In the wake of the hurricane, the NC Center for Health and Wellness and Social Bridging NC have produced two resources to support older adults and others affected by this event across the region, including responders and others working on the relief efforts: A webpage of curated long-term resources and a mini-guide of best practices for providing trauma-informed support through wellness checks in person or by phone.

The National Council on Aging has launched a new toolkit for community-based organizations designed to provide a roadmap for promoting and expanding evidence-based programs for health promotion and chronic disease self-management in rural communities.

On May 30, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services, through its Administration for Community Living, released its “Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging” report, which “lays the groundwork for a coordinated effort…to create a national set of recommendations for advancing healthy aging and age-friendly communities that value and truly include older adults.”