[20050118]RS20784_长期护理：公共政策的方向是什么？.pdf

1 The need for long-term care is measured principally by assessing the assistance others mustprovide with respect to activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs usually include bathing, dressing,eating, toileting, continence, and transferring from a bed or a chair.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20784Updated January 18, 2005Long-Term Care: What Direction for Public Policy?Carol OShaughnessy and Bob LykeSpecialists in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryOptions to improve the financing and delivery of long-term care have been aconcern for Congress for some time. National spending for long-term care was almost$160 billion in 2002, representing about 12% of all personal health care expenditures.Almost half of this spending was from the federal-state Medicaid program, primarily forcare in institutions, while 20% came from families and individuals. Some people facelarge expenses for which public assistance is unavoidable. The need for long-term careis expected to grow substantially in the future. While the magnitude cannot be predictedwith certainty, total public and private spending fo