October 24, 2008 State Legislatures, AARP to Find Solutions to Long-Term Care Issues Long-Term Care Reform Leadership Project aims to find best practices for home care, financing, quality and caregiving WASHINGTON — By 2020, more than 50 million Americans will be over the age of 65. By 2030, that number will increase to nearly 70 million. As the population ages, states will face challenges not seen in the past. Access to good home- and community-based services, long-term care workforce shortages, and adequate support for family caregivers will become center stage for state lawmakers. To address this concern, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and AARP are collaborating on an 18-month project to bring together state legislators, staff and volunteers to identify long-term care issues and challenges. Through a series of issue briefs and policy statements, as well as forums and webinars, this new collaboration called the Long-Term Care Reform Leadership Project, will provide lawmakers with the information needed to develop sound statewide policies. “Issues of affordable health care affect all of the states, and this effort will examine a growing area of health care—long-term care for the aging population,” said William T. Pound, executive director of NCSL. “Legislators will have the opportunity to learn about long-term care issues and connect with real-world solutions identified by experts in the field. The goal of the Long-Term Care Reform Leadership Project is to provide legislators with the tools they need to make real change in their states.” AARP Vice President of Government Relations Elaine Ryan added, “State governments will play a crucial role in reforming our long-term care system over the coming years. By working directly with state lawmakers, we can highlight promising long-term care reforms that allow older Americans to get services when they need them and where they want them.” NCSL is equipped to track and analyze legislation enacted in all 50 states regarding long-term care. A working group developed through this project will identify emerging trends in long-term care and discuss evidence-based practices related to these issues. With this information, the working group will develop issue statements and policy briefs for state lawmakers. Additionally, NCSL and AARP will provide state legislators with on-site assistance, testimony and research assistance as long-term care issues take shape. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system. ### |