USA Today – Why now is the time to start the talk about aging with older loved ones

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration program represents a major initiative to give people needing long-term services and supports (LTSS) more choice about where they live and receive care, and to increase the capacity of state long-term care systems to serve people in the community rather than in institutions. The MFP demonstration grew in 2011, from 31 to 44 state grantees, when 13 additional states were awarded MFP grants.

Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care (LTC) in their remaining years. Woman need care longer (3.7 years) than men (2.2 years) and while one-third of today’s 65-year-olds may never need LTC, 20 percent (1 in 5) will need it for longer than five years. To better prepare, here are 10 things to know if you are providing help to an older loved one.

Having regular conversations with your doctor is an important component of aging with dignity and independence. This guide describes important conversations to have with your doctor to prepare for changing health needs as you grow older.