Financing and Use of Long-Term Care for the Elderly

Abstract

Perhaps no other part of the health-care system generates as much frustration as does the organization and financing of long-term care (LTC) for the elderly. The disabled elderly and their families confront a fragmented delivery and financing system, a relative lack of noninstitutional services, long waiting lists for institutional placement, mediocre-quality care, and financing hardship (Vladeck, 1980). Public financing, primarily through Medicaid, is perceived as both overly expensive and inadequate.