AARP Eye Center
Search
The high cost of long-term services and supports (LTSS) causes many older adults to fear impoverishment, becoming a burden to their families, or both.
In 2020, 38.9 million adults provided unpaid care to an adult family member or friend with health or functional needs.
Federal and state governments should ensure that long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs cover services that support and supplement caregiving by relatives, friends, and neighbors.
Federal and state governments should provide tax credits, other financial assistance, or both to caregivers.
When economic conditions permit, states should accumulate budget reserves adequate to maintain services during recessions.
Deficit-reduction efforts should avoid cuts in programs that serve low- and moderate-income populations.
At the federal level, the two categories of budgetary expenditures are entitlement and discretionary spending.
Federal policymakers should develop a comprehensive system for financing Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) that includes a new social insurance program to provide a basic level of LTSS.