Elder Care Options for Families: Long-Term Care

An increasing proportion of elders in the population is projected for the next few decades. An increase of 76% is expected by 2030. Because the incidence of chronic illness and disability is correlated with advancing age, the demand for long-term care will correspondingly increase. Older persons will also be more ethnically and racially diverse. These circumstances cause concerns about [Page 396]the adequacy of long-term care services to assist culturally dissimilar elders with the management of chronic illnesses, functional impairment, and promotion of health to forestall institutionalization, maintain safety, and enhance quality of life. Although there are a number of options with specific advantages available for long-term care, these vary by state jurisdiction, have specific disadvantages, and typically present a difficult decision for older persons and ...