Long-Term Care Costs
A Growing Crisis in Health and Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Persons with Disabilities: Changes from 2002-2005
Research Report
Mary Jo Gibson, AARP Public Policy Institute
December 2006
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A growing crisis in health care and long-term services and supports for older persons with disabilities and their families is documented in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper. The study presents data from interviews by Harris Interactive with a group of respondents originally interviewed in 2002 for AARP's Beyond 50.03 report on independent living and disability. Almost all indicators relating to quality of life and health and long-term supportive services remained constant or worsened between 2002 and 2005.
Key findings support the need for reform of both the nation's health care system and its policies for providing long-term services and supports.
The cost of health care is a growing concern for adults with more severe disabilities. Increasingly, older persons with more severe disabilities are postponing health care because it is not affordable (46% did so in 2005; 36% in 2002).
Unmet need for help with basic daily activities persists; cost is an even bigger barrier than in 2002. Nearly three in ten (29%) respondents reported in both 2005 and 2002 that they needed more help than they were receiving with everyday activities. Even more respondents said the main reason they did not receive enough help was because they could not afford it (74% in 2005 vs. 59%). (30 pages)
Pub ID: 2006-26