More people than ever need long-term care, but few are able to find or afford good care. Between now and 2020, the state’s over-65 population will almost double. Although people are now living healthier into old age, most people over 85 have impaired mobility, and half suffer mental decline. Meanwhile, people of all ages with developmental disabilities, HIV/AIDS and other chronic, debilitating illnesses need help with daily tasks like dressing and eating, as well as supervision and medical care. Long-term care providers range from family members to home care agencies, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. But family members may be overwhelmed, while professional services suffer from low wages, high turnover and spotty quality or safety. Even mediocre care can cost hundreds of dollars a day, especially in the expensive Puget Sound market, and most of it isn’t covered by Medicare, pensions or conventional health insurance.

Promising Strategies in Long-Term Care: Work That Donors can Fund

• Help people afford and plan for long-term care through information, education and advocacy.
• Expand adult day programs for seniors and disabled adults, which connect participants to their communities and give family caregivers a break.
• Promote activities—recreational, fitness, educational and social—for seniors and the disabled so they can remain healthy physically and mentally.
• Make assisted living and nursing home services better, safer and more culturally responsive.
• Support animal companionship, home retrofitting programs and other home-based support services to support independent living.
• Provide mentors, respite care and easy access to resources and support for family members who are caring for seniors or disabled family members at home.

What's Working in Long-Term Care: Local programs in Action

• The Senior Wellness Project at the Northshore Senior Center is part of a network to give older adults access to low-cost, high-quality health promotion programs. The program helps seniors: set and meet individual goals to enhance their health through exercise and social activity; manage chronic diseases; cope with chronic conditions, lifestyle changes, fatigue, medications, and pain and depression; and decrease the risk of falling through physical conditioning.
• Bailey-Boushay House provides care to people with HIV/AIDS by offering a skilled nursing residential care program and interdisciplinary adult day program. It also serves medically and socially frail individuals who suffer from homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse.
• Elderhealth Northwest brings in-home services to seniors, including bathing and personal care, laundry and linen service, meal planning and preparation, housecleaning and shopping.