Long Term Care in Florida

Download or read book Long Term Care in Florida written by J. V. Lambert and published by Nova Science Publishers. This book was released on 2004 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Florida has the largest proportion of elderly in the nation- 2.8 million persons are over age 65, representing 17.6% of its total population. The dramatic rise in the number of persons age 65 and over in Florida over the next 20 years-estimated to total 26.3% of total population-will further stretch the already limited resources of the state. Aware of the pressing demand for long-term care services well into the 21 * century, policymakers in Florida have begun seriously to review options for improving financing and delivery of long-term care for the frail elderly and persons with disabilities. Federal and state Medicaid spending in Florida was $2.6 billion in FY2001, and 30.5% of Medicaid spending was for long-term care. In FY2001, 75.3% of total Medicaid spending was for institutional care. Slightly less than 25% of Medicaid spending was channeled towards home and community-based services. Although institutional care dominated Medicaid spending, there has been slow but steady expansion of home and community-based services funding, both through the use of Medicaid's waiver programs as well as significant support through state sources. Among the major issues facing long-term care in Florida are: the fragmentation of long-term care services among state and local agencies, an imbalance in financing that favors institutional care rather than home and community based care, shortage of health care workers and well-trained staff throughout the long-term care , and disparities in availability of services across the state.