A new proposal announced today aims to improve Medicare to better address the critical gap in home care that older adults and disabled people need to maintain their independence and address their unmet long-term care needs.
“Adding more robust home care benefits to Medicare is an essential step toward ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities can live independently and without the fear of excessive out-of-pocket costs,” said Kevin Prindiville, Executive Director at Justice in Aging. “Currently, two out of five older adults facing challenges with daily activities receive no assistance, highlighting a significant gap in our support systems. Further, adding vision and hearing benefits to Medicare is critical to helping older adults live at home with dignity. “
Research further shows that approximately one-third of low-income people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid don’t receive the help they need. The problem is even more acute for people of color who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, as half of them go without necessary care. These gaps reveal an urgent need to expand home care services.
“We strongly support policies that prioritize investments in paid caregiving and alleviate the demands on unpaid family caregivers,” Kevin continued. “Nearly half of Medicare enrollees with high long-term care needs rely solely on family members for support. Family caregivers provide $600 billion in unpaid care. It is crucial to acknowledge and address the significant impact our insufficient long-term care system has on both those who need care and their families.”