Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Lifetime patterns of payment for nursing home care
1Division of Long Term Care Studies, Center for Intramural Research, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Bethesda, MD 20852.
Medical Care
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Many elderly individuals pay for nursing home care privately. However, 14% spend down assets to qualify for Medicaid, a lifetime risk of over 6% for those turning 65.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Economics
- Public Policy
Background:
- Understanding lifetime nursing home payment sources is crucial for financial planning and policy development.
- Previous research focused on annual aggregate costs, with limited insight into individual long-term payment trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze lifetime payment-source patterns for elderly nursing home users.
- To determine the extent of asset spend-down for Medicaid eligibility among this population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lifetime payment-source patterns for individuals aged 65 and older who use nursing homes.
- Estimation of asset spend-down prevalence and lifetime risk of nursing home use with Medicaid.
Main Results:
- 44% of elderly nursing home users are private payers throughout their stay, while 27% rely solely on Medicaid.
- 14% of users spend down assets to become eligible for Medicaid, a rate 2.5 times higher than previously estimated.
- Over 6% of individuals turning 65 face a lifetime risk of asset spend-down for nursing home care; 17% expect to use nursing homes and receive Medicaid.
Conclusions:
- Lifetime analysis reveals significant asset spend-down for Medicaid eligibility, exceeding prior estimates.
- A substantial portion of individuals will utilize nursing homes and Medicaid, with many qualifying before admission.
- Findings highlight the financial vulnerability of the elderly and inform policy on long-term care financing.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Current Trends in Nursing I
Current trends in nursing include:
01:19Restorative Care
Restorative care is provided once a patient has been discharged from a healthcare facility and requires additional services. The additional services include home care, rehabilitation programs, and extended care. Restorative care centers help the patient regain their previous level of functioning or acquire a new level of functioning due to the incapacitating effects of a disease or a disability. It aims to assist patients in enhancing their quality of life by encouraging independence,...
01:25Continuing Care
Continuing care describes the variety of health, personal, and social services provided over a prolonged period. The need for continuing care is increasing because people are living longer. Many people do not have families or others to care for them. Continuing care is mainly for patients who are disabled, functionally dependent, or suffering from a terminal disease. It is available within institutional settings or in homes. Examples include nursing centers or facilities, assisted living,...
01:21Planning Nursing Care I
The planning phase of the nursing process helps nurses set priorities, outline patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and tailor nursing interventions to align with the aligned care plan. Through the planning phase, the nurse applies critical thinking skills to align and develop interventions according to the patient's needs. It provides continuity of care allowing patients to receive the maximum benefit from treatment. It serves as a pilot plan for allocating individual staff to a...
01:29Planning Nursing Care II
A nursing care plan can present in two forms: informal and formal. Informal is a care plan for the individual use of the nurse and goals they wish to accomplish during their shift. Informal care plans are not included in the patient chart. A formal nursing care plan is a written or computerized guide that organizes patient care. It is further subdivided into two: standardized and individualized care plans. Standardized care plans are pre-populated care plans for specific patient populations,...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities