The older population is diverse, their needs are diverse, and the solutions must be diverse. AARP is glad that better long-term care is on your radar screen. But, it is very important to recognize that most long-term care is unpaid care provided by family or friends. All of the many settings for long-term care have a big price tag. Getting professional care at home is nearly as expensive.
Most people have little protection against the high costs of long-term care.
Although Medicaid pays for about half of all nursing home care, many people qualify by spending down their resources until they face poverty. AARP believes there must be better options and that long-term care is a shared responsibility. It is not practical for the government or for an individual to pay the full cost. There must be a strong partnership between the private and public sectors. Research has shown repeatedly that people who need long-term care prefer to receive it at home.