LTSS
(Long-Term Services and Supports)
By the numbers….
$450 Billion. The economic value of the 42.1
million unpaid caregivers in the United States.
12.7 Million.
The number of Americans who
rely on LTSS. They are a diverse group in terms of age,
functional limitations, and place of residency. LTSS is almost
equally split between adults who are over age 65 (56%) and
adults who are under 65 (44 %).
65 Million.
The number of people who have
provided uncompensated LTSS care or financial support to
family members or friends.
89 Million.
The number of Americans who will
be aged 65 and older by 2050.
$82,000. The average per person cost for a year
of nursing home care in America.
$33 Billion. The estimated impact of unpaid
caregiving on businesses.
50%. Percentage of small business owners who
reported negative impact on FTEs because employees had to
deal with issues related to long-term care for themselves or
family members.
27%. The percentage of federal Medicaid expenses
that went to LTSS in 2013.
For more information visit www.advanceclass.org.
“Life throws curve balls, and when the unexpected occurs, individuals
often need help with basic services like bathing, eating and moving
around. And that’s where LTSS comes in. Individuals and their families
must be given the knowledge and ability to have a choice when they
reach a point where they need LTSS.”
Connie Garner, PhD, Executive Director, Advance CLASS
Long-Term Services and Supports Are Critical…
LTSS encompass a wide range of daily activities, including bathing, dressing,
eating, meal preparation, money management, house cleaning, medication
management, and transportation. Those who cannot perform these
activities on their own suffer from physical, cognitive, developmental,
and/or chronic health conditions that are expected to last for an extended
period of time-- typically 90 days or longer. Providing these services often
requires human assistance, supervision, cueing, workplace supports, and
care coordination across multiple settings. These supportive services make
it possible for millions of Americans to experience greater independence, a
better quality of life, and the ability to stay out of the hospital and other
institutional settings.
Long Term Care Affects Millions and The Numbers Are Increasing…
Today, 12.7 million Americans need LTSS, a figure that is expected to more
than double by 2050 to 27 million. While children under age 18 are a small
percentage of the total population that requires LTSS, they have substantial
needs that will last for the rest of their lives. Working age adults (aged 1844) who need LTSS include individuals who have intellectual and
developmental disabilities(I/DD), paralysis, nervous system disorders, back
problems, and mental health disorders. Individuals who are between 45
and 64 experience adult-onset disabilities that can be both physical and
mental. The age 65+ population in America will more than double to 89
million by 2050 and a there will be at least a 300% increase in the age 85+
population by 2050 -- these groups have a much higher rate of disability.
Those Needing Long-Term Care Are Outpacing Those That Provide Care…
Today the majority of LTSS is provided by family members, however, the
supply of caregivers is not going to keep pace with future need. While
many Americans are providing caregiving services to their loved ones
today, we will soon encounter a period of transition. As baby boomers age
and become reliant on caregiving services, the number of potential
caregivers will decrease. Families are also smaller, and therefore there are
fewer family members to provider care for one another
Long-Term Care is Expensive and Many Don’t Have a Way to Pay for It…
According to the 2014 Genworth Financial Cost of Care survey, the median
costs for a year of paid LTSS care range from about $17,000 to over
$87,000. For many in the 65+ population the cost of one year in a nursing
home exceeds their annual income by 200% - 300%. It is important for
Americans to be aware that Medicare only pays for limited LTSS services.
Only 52% of boomers think Medicare will pay for their LTSS; 26% don’t
know how they will pay.
Long Term Care Has Both Public and Private Payer Options…
Currently, Medicaid is the primary payer for LTSS. Medicaid
delivery/payment reform is focused on carving a larger role for managed
care to coordinate services for LTSS populations. LTSS can be addressed
through long-term care insurance programs, catastrophic long-term care
insurance plans, and even a potential public/private partnership between
the government and insurers. As we set future legislative priorities, it is
important to note that legislators on both sides of the aisle agree that LTSS
is an issue that needs to be addressed, so entitlement programs, including
Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security can continue long into the future.