Now new proposals to help pay for long-term health care. Phil Ponce has that. Americans are living longer than ever, but that means more now suffer from chronic illnesses or disabilities, ranging from severe arthritis to Alzheimer's. More than 5 million are now in need of long-term care either in institutions like nursing homes, or at home with the assistance of relatives and other care givers. Today at the White House President Clinton described the problem and announced some proposals to help.
Millions require the care that can only be provided in a nursing home.
But millions more choose to remain at home with family and friends. Indeed, the elderly are remaining at home in record numbers. We cannot expect that every older American will be able to fend for himself or herself. The care they provide is invaluable, but we can show that it is valued by our society. Second, we should create a family caregiver support program, a new national network to support people caring for older Americans.