AARP Public Policy Institute

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Valuing the Invaluable: 2011 Update - The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving

The estimated economic value of family caregivers’ unpaid contributions contribution was approximately $450 billion in 2009. If family caregivers were no longer available, the economic cost to the U.S. health care and long-term services and supports systems would increase astronomically. This report updates national and individual state estimates of the economic value of family care using the most current available data, and provides recommendations for taking care of the caregivers.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52937

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Health Reform Law Creates New Opportunities for States to Save Medicaid Dollars

Health care reform offers opportunities for cash-strapped Medicaid programs to save money and get extra federal dollars. Amid the budget shortfalls that most states are experiencing, state policymakers should carefully consider the new opportunities presented by health care reform and direct their resources to those that will both improve health outcomes and services and realize cost savings or efficiencies.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52934

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How Recent Changes in Reverse Mortgages Impact Older Homeowners

Reverse mortgages offer older homeowners a way to tap home equity to meet financial needs in retirement. However, the collapse of the mortgage market in 2008–2009 has led to major changes that impact consumer choices. While consumers have more product choices, reverse mortgages are generally more expensive and more complicated. Learn more about how this has affected aging consumers and what Congress and regulatory agencies are doing to protect consumers here.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52848

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Adult Protective Services: Increased Demand and Decreased Funds

New data show that one in ten older adults are victims of mistreatment, with a higher percentage being victims of financial exploitation. Only a small percentage of elder abuse events are ever referred to agencies that can assist victims. Adult Protective Services (APS) offer victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation a range of services. This report shows how calls to APS have increased since the recession began, but most states have either decreased or maintained their budgets for services.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52845

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How The Affordable Care Act Can Help Move States Toward A High-Performing System Of Long-Term Services And Supports

To learn more about long-term services and supports, the key characteristics of a high-performing system, and new options and incentives in the Affordable Care Act that can support cost-effective programs to help people with disabilities remain in their homes and communities, access this article. This paper outlines the five key characteristics of a high-performing system of long-term services and supports and describes an emerging “scorecard” that could help measure states’ progress.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52833

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The New Health Care Law and the CLASS Program- Video

A vast majority of Americans age 50 and over would prefer to live independently in their own homes and communities as long as they can, rather than relinquish control over their lives in a nursing facility. In this brief video, AARP provides an overview of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, i.e., how it works, what it covers and how it can be beneficial.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52795

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Trends in Family Caregiving and Paid Home Care for Older People with Disabilities in the Community: Data from the National Long-Term Care Survey

Family caregiving has long been the most common source of long-term care for older people with disabilities in the U.S. Explore this report looking at recent trends in the types of assistance that older people with disabilities receive and sources of payment for this assistance. It presents major findings on the growing number of older people with disabilities in the community and their care arrangements, summarized by seven trends.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52731

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Health Reform Initiatives to Improve Care Coordination and Transitional Care for Chronic Conditions – Fact Sheet

Several programs based on promising models for improving care for people with chronic conditions, who often experience difficult transitions across care settings that can compromise quality of care and increase costs were created by the heath care reform law. Most of these programs include some level of funding, evaluation, and discretion for the HHS Secretary to expand programs if they meet certain criteria. This fact sheet delineates these programs.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52691

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Health Care Reform Improves Access to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services – Fact Sheet

How does ACA provide new financial incentives for states, and create opportunities within existing programs to promote Medicaid HCBS for older persons and adults with disabilities? The number and variety of new options, combined with the prospect of additional federal funds, may give some states added flexibility in balancing their LTC system. Read this fact sheet which enumerates the new programs and modifications to existing ones.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52690

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Access to Long-Term Services and Supports: A 50-State Survey of Medicaid Financial Eligibility Standards

Medicaid finances nearly half of all LTSS spending. Review an update to existing data on Medicaid financial eligibility standards for nursing home and HCBS waiver services for older persons and adults with disability. 2009 data were obtained on state selection of optional pathways for eligibility, income and asset standards, cost-sharing and other post-eligibility financial requirements. A copy of the survey instrument and accompanying letter to state Medicaid Directors are included.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/52689

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