Most aging adults and adults with disabilities will require assistance to remain living in their homes and communities at some point over their lifetime. While many Californians report their long-term care needs are unmet, there are inequities in who has access to that care today. As California continues to make investments in its long-term care system, inequities are likely to persist and newly arise if the state does not take intentional steps to ensure equity is a primary focus in its efforts to expand the availability of at-home care.

In the third paper of our four-part series, we conduct an equity analysis of California’s Assisted Living Waiver using Justice in Aging’s recently released Equity Framework for California’s HCBS Programs. In the paper, California’s Assisted Living Waiver: An Equity Analysis, and accompanying webinar, we describe the equity framework and its five domains where inequities can arise; summarize how inequities arise in the Assisted Living Waiver; and put forward recommendations on how to address inequities through the state’s current efforts to update the Assisted Living Waiver.

Audience: State agencies, policymakers, and aging and disability providers and advocates who are working towards an inclusive, equitable home-and-community-based system that supports the right of low-income older adults and people with disabilities to live in the setting of their choice.

Get the issue brief, webinar recording, webinar transcript, and slides