The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44252

Ruth E. Cherrick, MPH, Faculty Research Associate/Adjunct Professor, School of Health Administration & Policy, Arizona State University, 675 N. Northern Vista Place, Tucson, AZ 85748, 520-546-4096, ruth@cherrickconsulting.com

Older adults, those ages 65 and older, are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. The famous Baby Boomer Generation who will begin to turn 65 in 2011 fuels this dramatic increase. The U.S. Bureau of Census estimates that by 2030 nearly 20% of the population will be older than 65. Obviously, these changes will produce an enormous increase in demand for long-term care (LTC) services.

AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) established a Long Term Care Project with two over-arching goals. The first was to understand how the Baby Boomer Generation viewed the current LTC system. The second was to assess current consumer satisfaction with LTC Services by surveying home and community-based and nursing facility consumers. To meet goal one, the project involved working with two focus groups of Baby Boomers so AHCCCS could understand what kind of LTC information this generation requires. To meet goal two, the project surveyed the ALTCS Elderly and Physically Disabled (EPD) population ages 18 and over. More than 1,000 consumers currently receiving care in ALTCS responded to the survey. The survey also provided a glimpse into how ALTCS services can be improved and whether choice is an issue among today's consumers. This presentation will summarize the needs of the Baby Boomer Generation, report on survey results, identify policy issues, and offer conclusions and recommendations.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation participants should be able to

• identify the policy issues associated with the emergence of the "Baby Boomer Generation";
• identify who the customer(s) are of long term care services in Arizona; and
• identify the level of satisfaction with long term care services in Arizona.

Keywords: Aging, Long-Term Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.