We all should be able to receive the help we need to remain as independent as possible as we age or develop a disability or chronic illness. Most of us will need some assistance as we grow older.
This assistance is called Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and includes services provided in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and in the home and community.
The types of services in LTSS include medical and personal care services that assist with activities of daily living (such as eating, bathing, and dressing) and instrumental activities of daily living (such as preparing meals, managing medication, transportation, and housekeeping). These services can be provided by home health aides, personal care workers, or paid or unpaid family members.
Medicare’s coverage of LTSS is limited and doesn’t cover most people’s needs. Few older adults have the resources to pay for these services out of pocket, which means most people have to spend down all of their assets to qualify for Medicaid to access LTSS.
Justice in Aging’s LTSS advocacy focuses on access to LTSS at home and in the community that are tailored to the person’s needs, while also protecting the rights of residents in institutional settings.
