Community-Based Long-Term Services and Supports: Are the Needs of Older Adults and Their Caregivers Being Met?

Issue: Older Americans who need help with daily activities, such as bathing or managing medications, most often live in the community with the support of family and other unpaid caregivers. Little is understood about the adverse consequences this population suffers when no one is available to help with taskspecific needs. Goal: To assess the prevalence of adverse consequences due to unmet long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs. To identify whether and how caregiving characteristics are associated with adverse consequences and whether such factors differ among older adults with and without dementia. Methods: We analyzed the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC). Key Findings: More than four in 10 community-living older adults experienced adverse consequences due to unmet LTSS needs. Older adults with dementia, greater LTSS needs, and low incomes were more likely to experience adverse consequences. Other factors associated with a higher likelihood of adverse consequences included the number of caregivers helping an older adult. Conclusions: Policies that account for the complexity of care needs among older adults living in the community with disability and better support for family and unpaid caregivers could help prevent adverse consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]