Looking at the Coming Changes in Long-Term Care Needs, Costs and Financing Options
The nation faces an increasing need for expensive long-term care, especially for its growing elderly population. From 2001 to 2007, researchers at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute produced and commissioned a range of studies on long-term-care needs, costs and financing options.
Key Findings
- People currently turning 65 will need long-term care for three years on average.
- The need for long-term care—and the financial and personal burdens it entails—will be distributed very unevenly.
Key Conclusions
- Absent policy changes, the use of private long-term-care insurance will likely grow, but the public safety net may deteriorate under the pressure of growing demand.
- Policy changes can improve and expand private insurance, but the benefits will accrue largely to the top income tier.
- Spreading risk across the broad population will require public insurance.
- The gaps left by any strategy to improve either private or public insurance will require the nation to maintain an adequate safety net.
Recommended
- Topics
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Related
- Creating Long-Term-Care Insurance Options for Elderly People October 4, 2011
- Program to Promote Long-Term Care Insurance for the Elderly July 24, 2007
- The CLASS Act May 12, 2011
- Gradual Shift Seen in Public Funds from Nursing Homes to Community-Based Services March 30, 2004
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