subject: Rhode Island Long Term Care, an Assessment [print this page] Rhode Island Long Term Care, an Assessment
In a survey conducted by AARP, a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization, it stated Rhode Island's long-term care system is consists of many types of services and programs, ranging from nursing home care to transportation services and home-delivered meals. Its system relies on funding from a variety of sources, from consumer payments to private insurance and government subsidies.
Similar to other states facing an impending growing demand towards LTC, the Rhode Island legislature requested for a plan to be developed in an attempt to make the system easier for consumers to negotiate and to ensure that adequate services are available to meet residents' current and future LTC needs.
To assess member support for the broad outline of the proposed plan, which includes developing a long-term care system that supports consumer independence and choice while delivering coordinated, high-quality services, a survey was conducted to achieve this aim.
AARP's survey finding include: (a) Long term care is defined as care provided over an extended period of time in a nursing home, at home, or in a community setting. It includes people of all ages who are frail, ill or disabled who need assistance with regular daily activities, such as getting dressed, bathing, preparing meals or eating, may receive long-term care services.
Members surveyed were briefed on the new long-term care plan that has been drafted which includes expanding the types and quality of services available, having resources that help consumers find the care they need, and expanding financial assistance to help consumers pay for services. The survey results showed 57 percent of all respondents would support funding the plan, even if it involved a tax increase.
While, 51 percent said they would still support the plan if it meant reallocating funds from other undefined state programs. And, according to the findings, 42 percent of respondents would continue to support the plan if it meant reallocation of state funds from other programs. However, it is significant that supporters were unsure of their support for the state funding this plan if it meant the reallocation of funds from other programs, as opposed to raising taxes.
Moreover, the results also revealed in-home services are most important to members. Having the ability to choose and receive services at home received the greatest number of ratings among the members surveyed. Also, 14 percent of all members say they or a family member have used long-term care services within the last five years, while almost 28 percent say it is likely they or a family member will need such services in the next several years.
Furthermore, the members also believe in cost sharing. Finding showed most Rhode Island respondents believe that the costs of long-term care should be shared between the individual and the government. Only one in eight think the individual receiving care should pay for their long-term care services by themselves.
In conclusion, the survey stated three-quarters of members say that it should be at least a high priority for Rhode Island to work to implement this new plan for the delivery of long-term care services in the state.
