Truthmatters
Diamond Member
- May 10, 2007
- 80,182
- 2,272
- 1,283
- Banned
- #1
New Health Care Law Has Benefits For Seniors - CBS News
.(AP) A clear goal of the new health care reform law: increased access to home-based care.
Last month's health care law contained some benefits for the nation's older population. It provided long-term care options to allow more seniors to stay in their current homes rather than seek institutionalized care, and called for more publicly available information about nursing homes.
Most seniors prefer to stay where they are than move into assisted living or a nursing home. AARP surveys show that roughly nine out of 10 senior adults prefer to "age in place." But, in many cases, health issues force a senior to seek out a facility where they receive individualized, round-the-clock care.
Parts of the new law help seniors and their families navigate such difficult situations.
The most high-profile provision related to long-term care in the new law is the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports act, or CLASS. It will allow adults with mobility problems to receive home care through a voluntary insurance plan. A handful of other programs will improve access to home and community-based services to complement CLASS, including one that provides matching federal dollars to states that expand their home care services.
And, the legislation requires that nursing homes report important information like staffing data, so families can make informed decisions about where to place their loved ones.
.(AP) A clear goal of the new health care reform law: increased access to home-based care.
Last month's health care law contained some benefits for the nation's older population. It provided long-term care options to allow more seniors to stay in their current homes rather than seek institutionalized care, and called for more publicly available information about nursing homes.
Most seniors prefer to stay where they are than move into assisted living or a nursing home. AARP surveys show that roughly nine out of 10 senior adults prefer to "age in place." But, in many cases, health issues force a senior to seek out a facility where they receive individualized, round-the-clock care.
Parts of the new law help seniors and their families navigate such difficult situations.
The most high-profile provision related to long-term care in the new law is the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports act, or CLASS. It will allow adults with mobility problems to receive home care through a voluntary insurance plan. A handful of other programs will improve access to home and community-based services to complement CLASS, including one that provides matching federal dollars to states that expand their home care services.
And, the legislation requires that nursing homes report important information like staffing data, so families can make informed decisions about where to place their loved ones.
