Long-Term Care

How do you explain the long-term system and benefits available in your state to consumers? Use these resources from Arizona as examples of how to communicate to people with developmental disabilities their choices, rights, and responsibilities. Also covered are eligibility requirements, application instructions, and contact information of local offices.

Tips on how to develop successful relationships with independent providers are offered here for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The tool box provides advice around establishing relationships and expectations, recruiting and hiring workers, and problem solving.

The U.S. Department of Labor has joined with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to launch a Web-based directory to help wounded warriors identify resources available to assist them in transitioning back to civilian life. The National Resource Directory encompasses more than 10,000 services and resources, including information on benefits and compensation, education, training and employment, family ad caregiver support, health, housing and transportation, service and resources.

This study provides a detailed profile of Hispanic family caregivers to determine how they differ from non-Hispanic caregivers and to explore their information and service needs. Key findings regarding incidence of family caregiving situations, demographics, care intensity, reported stress levels, and cultural beliefs, and others are presented. The authors also discuss policy implications of the findings.

Four articles provide an update of where the Older Americans Act (OAA) and the Aging Network stand in the face of demographic, economic, and health care issues. The first two cover the history of the legislative and budgetary developments of the network and report on a national survey of Area Agencies on Aging. The third summarizes political vagaries that network agencies encounter. The last advocates that civic engagement efforts must expand to cover disadvantaged and vulnerable older adults.

Many of the same social, health, and economic trends driving the development of home and community-based services in the U.S. are also present in Europe. A team of experts assembled by the World Health Organization presents evidence for the effectiveness of home care, shows how it can be improved, and explains the need for equitable access. It also explores the varied cultural and care contexts in Europe and provides suggestions on educating professionals and the public about these issues.

The author focuses on Medicaid and Medicare in offering healthcare reform suggestions. Both legislative and administrative actions are proposed regarding eligibility and enrollment, access to services, program management and delivery systems issues, and financing. Several options relate to HCBS, such as protecting spouses of the medically needy, expanding eligibility for SSI-related groups, and issuing further guidance on waiver waiting lists.

How can participants in consumer-directed programs connect with and hire care workers? In Arkansas, they can consult this web-based directory that is free for consumers and applicants. Worker names, availability, expected wages, services provided, and contact information are all provided.

About 52 million people provided family caregiving worth about $375 billion in 2007. That amount exceeds Medicaid long-term care spending in each state. Caregiving services included in the estimate are personal care, help with everyday tasks, and health-related interventions. The document presents data nationally and by state and concludes with policy recommendations to support and sustain family caregivers.

Everything from program structure, eligibility, services, financing and expenditures are covered here in concise summaries. This updated edition also contains graphics showing expenditures by service and the growth of Medicaid acute care spending as compared to private health plans. The tables at the end present data broken down by state. Refer to the 2007 version for historic perspective.