Long-Term Care

The Older Americans Act (OAA) requires states to submit a Plan on Aging every 1-4 years focused on reforming long-term care to help keep older people independent. Arkansas presents information on their organization, programs, goals, funding, and people served. Their plan covers areas including Cash & Counseling, Money Follows the Person, transportation planning, disaster preparedness, and others.

One cause of direct-care worker turnover often cited by the workers themselves is inadequate job preparation. PHI developed a training approach over two decades that emphasizes interactive techniques which are more effective in training workers in communication, problem solving, and work readiness skills. This guide outlines learner-centered training and provides educators with tools to implement the principles in their own programs.

What is a Green House home? It is an alternative residence for elders that need skilled nursing care. The architecture and services create small, homey environments that stress privacy, autonomy, support, and enjoyment. Visit the homepage to learn about the concept and efforts to replicate nationally. See “Research and Resources” and “Regulation and Legislation” for information on outcomes related to Green Houses and relevant state and federal policy.

In 2005, VT became the first state to commit to a federal Medicaid funding cap in exchange for expanded eligibility definitions and access to home and community-based services under a Section 1115 waiver. Case studies and interviews are used to present key findings from the program. Key design features are also presented. Finally, future issues within VT and other states that might emulate the program are discussed.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) gave rise to important HCBS programs such as the Choices for Independence initiative, ADRCs, and Nursing Home Diversion grants. Here is a concise summary of the legislation, its reauthorization in 2006, and data on the types of support provided under these programs, recipients, and expenditures.

Older Americans speak up on the importance of services and policies that enable them to age in place through the use of home and community-based services (HCBS). Results show that respondents are not only concerned with HCBS as they remain in the home, but also as they move to nursing home alternatives such as assisted living facilities. They identify the availability of long-term care options as one that should be a top priority for AARP's advocacy.

This report analyzes Alaska’s LTC system and makes recommendations for reform. The report provides a discussion of the opportunities and challenges of the various Medicaid authorities for funding LTC, including new DRA options. Recommendations include establishing mechanisms for controlling costs; streamlining access and coordinating assessment processes; developing a quality management strategy that complies with CMS requirements; and increasing consumer direction.

This resource provides tools, contact information, and lessons learned from eight research projects that focused on providing a more stable and qualified workforce. These projects, including state demonstrations and applied research and evaluation programs, are part of the four-year, $15.5 million Better Jobs Better Care initiative. The report compiles the major findings, and the resource catalog provides surveys, policy analyses, training and assessment materials, and many more practical tools.

Since 2002, MetLife Mature Market Institute has gathered data on the costs of long-term care in institutional and community-based settings. This 2008 report looks at home care and adult day services. Costs are broken down by state, metropolitan statistical area (MSA), and “rest of state,” or areas not in a MSA. Home care costs are measured in hourly private pay rates, and adult day costs are measured in daily private pay rates.

Watch a series of short, simple and direct videos meant to educate and train family caregivers. Videos cover a range of topics from infection control to paperwork. A “Beyond the Video” section offers video summaries and tips for applying lessons to each family's situation.